The Scholar of Type

Stanley Morison was one of the most influential figures in twentieth-century typography—not for the typefaces he independently designed, but for the vision and standards he championed. A sharp critic, accomplished editor, and relentless advocate for typographic clarity, Morison helped revive historical forms for a new age of print. Through his work at The Times and Monotype, he oversaw the creation of Times New Roman and helped shape the legacies of typefaces like Gill Sans, Perpetua, and Albertus. In this episode, we explore the ideas, relationships, and convictions that positioned Morison at the center of modern typography.

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Brief Overview

Stanley Morison (1889–1967) was a British typographer, historian, and editor whose influence shaped the course of modern type design. Though largely self-taught, he became the typographic advisor to the Monotype Corporation and led the redesign of The Times of London, resulting in the creation of Times New Roman. Morison was a prolific writer, lecturer, and editor—serving as art director of The Fleuron and co-founding the influential journal Typography. He championed the revival of historical typefaces and maintained close collaborations with designers such as Eric Gill, Beatrice Warde, Jan Tschichold, and Berthold Wolpe.

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