William Caslon
English typefounder whose faces established a national typographic style.
William Caslon I (1692/93 – 23 January 1766), also known as William Caslon the Elder, was an English typefounder. The distinction and legibility of his type secured him the patronage of the leading printers of the day in England and on the continent. His typefaces transformed English type design and first established an English national typographic style.
- born
- 1692 or 1693, Cradley, Worcestershire
- died
- 23 January 1766, London
- field
- Typefounding
- nationality
- English
- known_for
- Caslon typefaces; establishing an English national typographic style
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
William Caslon was born in Cradley, Worcestershire in 1692 or 1693 and trained as an engraver in nearby Birmingham. In 1716, he started business in London as an engraver of gun locks and barrels and as a bookbinder's tool cutter. Having contact with printers, he was induced to fit up a type foundry, largely through the encouragement of William Bowyer. He died on 23 January 1766, and was buried in the churchyard of St Luke Old Street, London, where the family tomb is preserved. Though his name would come to be identified with an enduring style of Latin alphabet, Caslon's first typefaces were what contemporary typefounders called 'exotics'. His first design was an Arabic made at the English size (14pt), commissioned by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge before 1725, followed by a Hebrew created for William Bowyer in 1726, and a Coptic for Wilkins first used in 1731. His first Latin typefaces were a roman and italic cut in the pica size (12pt), of a style that was fully realized by the publication of his foundry's specimen sheet in 1734. In 1763, Caslon released a full specimen book of his existing type, the first of its kind to be produced out of England. Caslon's typefaces were inspired by the Dutch Baroque types, the most commonly used types in England before Caslon's faces.
Reader's Guide
Caslon typefaces were immediately popular and used for many important printed works, including the first printed version of the United States Declaration of Independence. Caslon's types became so popular that the expression about typeface choice, 'when in doubt, use Caslon', came about. The Caslon types fell out of favour in the century after his death, but were revived in the 1840s. Several revivals of the Caslon types are widely used today. William Caslon I founded the Caslon Foundry in 1739. Following his death in 1766, his son William Caslon II took over, and the foundry continued under various family members and partnerships until 1937, when it was acquired by Stephenson Blake. In 1998, Justin Howes reestablished the Caslon foundry under the name H. W. Caslon & Company Limited, but after Howes' death in 2005 the revived company was no longer in business. Caslon's legacy endures through his typefaces, which established an English national typographic style and remain influential in modern revivals.
Did You Know?
- Caslon's first typeface design was an Arabic made at the English size (14pt), commissioned by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge before 1725.
- He started his London business in 1716 as an engraver of gun locks and barrels and as a bookbinder's tool cutter.
- His first Latin typefaces were a roman and italic cut in the pica size (12pt), fully realized by the publication of his foundry's specimen sheet in 1734.
- In 1763, Caslon released the first full specimen book of its kind to be produced out of England.
- Caslon typefaces were used for the first printed version of the United States Declaration of Independence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is William Caslon?
William Caslon I, often called William Caslon the Elder, was an English typefounder active during the early-to-mid 18th century. He is best remembered for the family of letterforms bearing his name, which became a cornerstone of English printing.
What is William Caslon known for?
He is celebrated for designing and founding the Caslon typefaces, whose clarity and distinction earned him commissions from top printers across England and the European continent. His work is widely credited with giving England its first true national typographic identity.
Where and when was William Caslon born, and when did he die?
Caslon was born in 1692 or 1693 in Cradley, Worcestershire, and he passed away in London on 23 January 1766.
Why is William Caslon important in the history of design?
His typefaces transformed English type design by establishing a recognizable national style that set English printing apart from continental traditions. The enduring quality of his letterforms secured him the patronage of the era's most prominent printers.
What made Caslon's typefaces stand out from other contemporary designs?
The defining traits of his faces were their distinction and legibility, which set them apart from the styles then common in England. These qualities made them a practical and aesthetic choice for the leading printers of his day, both in Britain and across the continent.
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