Baskerville, John (1706-1775), was an English type founder and printer famous for his well-made books. After he grew wealthy making japanned (lacquered) ware, Baskerville began an ambitious program of printing in 1750. He designed and made his own type, which had letters with balanced thick and thin strokes. Baskerville’s font is considered a transitional style between old-style and modern type faces. The first book from his press, an edition of Virgil in 1757, amazed readers by its elegance. A Bible printed for Cambridge University, considered to be Baskerville’s masterpiece, followed in 1763.
Baskerville was born in Wolverley, England, on Jan. 28, 1706. He lived and worked in Birmingham, England, where he died on Jan. 8, 1775.
