George Bruce (5 July 1781, Edinburgh - 6 July 1866, New York City) was a Scottish-American inventor and businessman. Co-owner of a type foundry in New York, on 9 November 1842 he was awarded the first design patent (a new form of patent authorized by Act of Congress) for fonts (printing typefaces and borders).[1]
Emigrating from Scotland to the United States in July 1795, he was one of the most successful type designers in the 19th century. His inventions included numerous fonts and improvements to type-casting machines.
He was the father of philanthropist Catherine Wolfe Bruce.