William Caslon

Typefounder

English engraver and typefounder whose types dominated English-language printing in the 18th century.

William Caslon began as an engraver of gun locks and bookbinders’ tools in London. He set up a type foundry in the 1720s.

His types, based on Dutch models, were clear and robust. The foundry was carried on by his descendants and sold type throughout the British Empire.

• Caslon