Edward Johnston

Edward Johnston (1872-1944) was a British calligrapher, designer, and teacher who is considered one of the most influential figures in the revival of calligraphy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Johnston was born in Uruguay and educated in England. He began his career as a commercial artist, but in 1898 he became interested in calligraphy after seeing an exhibition of William Morris's work. Johnston's interest in calligraphy led him to study the work of early medieval scribes, and he developed a new style of calligraphy that was based on the principles of Roman and Gothic lettering.

In 1906, Johnston published his book "Writing & Illuminating, & Lettering", which became a standard textbook for calligraphers. Johnston also taught calligraphy at the Central School of Arts and Crafts in London, and he influenced a generation of calligraphers, including Eric Gill, Stanley Morison, and Alfred Fairbank.

Johnston's calligraphy was used in a wide variety of applications, including book design, commercial advertising, and public signage. He also designed several typefaces, including Johnston Sans, which is still widely used today.

Johnston's work was highly influential in the development of modern calligraphy, and he is considered one of the most important figures in the revival of the art form. His work continues to be admired and studied by calligraphers around the world.

• Johnston's calligraphy was used on the original London Underground roundels.
• Johnston was a member of the Arts and Crafts Movement.
• Johnston's work is represented in the collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum, the British Museum, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Johnston's calligraphy is characterized by its simplicity, clarity, and beauty. He believed that calligraphy should be "a means of expression, not an end in itself." Johnston's work has inspired generations of calligraphers, and it continues to be used in a wide variety of applications today.