Edward Johnston

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For other uses, see Edward Johnston (disambiguation).

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Modern version of London Underground Roundel

Edward Johnston CBE (11 February 1872 – 26 November 1944), was a British craftsman who is credited with the revival of the broad edged pen as a writing tool, a particular form of calligraphy. He was born in San José, Uruguay.^[1] Johnston started teaching at the Central School of Arts and Crafts in London's Southampton Row, where he influenced the typeface designer and sculptor Eric Gill. Then he moved on to the Royal College of Art and many students were inspired by his teachings.

He is most famous for designing the sans-serif Johnston typeface that is used throughout the London Underground system as well as the famous roundel logo used throughout the system.

He has also been credited for reviving the art of modern penmanship and lettering single-handedly through his books and teachings. Johnston also devised the simply crafted round calligraphic handwriting style, written with a broad pen, known as the foundational hand.

In 1921, students of Johnston founded the Society of Scribes & Illuminators (SSI), probably the world's foremost calligraphy society.

[edit] Publications

Johnston Sans printing blocks

Johnston, Edward (1995). Writing & Illuminating & Lettering. Dover Publications, 480 pp. ISBN 0-486-28534-0.
Johnston, Edward (1986). Lessons in Formal Writing. Taplinger Publishing Company, 243 pp. ISBN 0-8008-4642-7.
Johnston, Edward (1990). Decoration and Its Uses. Tenspeed, 64 pp. ISBN 0-89815-401-4.