Robert Besley

Robert Besley (1794–1876) was an English typographer, creator of Clarendon (typeface) in 1845 and the Lord Mayor of London in 1869.

Career

Besley joined the Fann Street Foundry in 1838. The Fann Street Foundry was also home of typographer William Thorowgood, creator of Grotesque.^[1]

When Besley created Clarendon he had it patented, as England just passed a bill allowing that. The typeface became so popular, though, that the copyright was soon broken by people creating knock-offs. Still known as the first Registered typeface. ^[2]

He then went on to become Sheriff of the City of London in 1863 and the Lord Mayor of London in 1869.

References

^ Alexander Lawson's Anatomy of a Typeface on Google Books
^ Article on Popperfont.com, Fontlove section, by David Ng. Citing a thesis essay from Mitja Miklavcic, 2006.

External links

Image of Besley as Lord Mayor of London
A political cartoon of Besley and fellow members of the Corporation of London

Persondata
Name	Besley, Robert
Alternative names
Short description	British politician
Date of birth	1794
Place of birth
Date of death	1876
Place of death