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Renowned Typographer James Mosley Leaves Lasting Legacy at 90
30 Oct
Summary
- Dedicated 44 years to preserving printing history at St Bride Foundation
- Taught typography at University of Reading for over 50 years
- Helped restore historic lettering on HMS Victory and London buildings
James Mosley, a highly respected librarian, teacher, historian, and typographic scholar, passed away on October 29, 2025, at the age of 90. Mosley had a distinguished career spanning over six decades, during which he made significant contributions to the preservation and interpretation of the craft of typography.
From 1956 to 2000, Mosley worked tirelessly as one of the most knowledgeable and dedicated custodians of the St Bride Foundation Printing Library in London. He was known for his tireless efforts to safeguard the material legacy of printing, rescuing invaluable archives, type specimens, and printing artifacts from closing London print houses.
In addition to his work at the St Bride Library, Mosley was an early member of the department of typography and graphic communication at the University of Reading, where he taught from 1964 until his retirement in 2021. His expertise in letterforms and the history of design was highly regarded, and he shared his knowledge with enthusiasm and clarity.
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Mosley's influence extended beyond the academic realm. During the restoration of HMS Victory in 2015, he intervened to ensure the ship's name was painted in a style that matched the original English vernacular lettering. He also helped preserve the historic lettering on the former LCC Fire Station on Euston Road in London, demonstrating his commitment to preserving the integrity of typographic heritage.
