Talbot Baines Reed was an English author of boys' fiction who lived from April 3, 1852, to November 28, 1893. He created a type of school stories that lasted until the middle of the 20th century. The Fifth Form at St. Dominic's is one of his most well-known works. He often and regularly wrote for The Boy's Own Paper (B.O.P.). Most of his writing was first published there. Reed became a well-known typefounder through his family's business. He also wrote the standard work on the subject, History of the Old English Letter Foundries. John Reed was a colonel in Oliver Cromwell's army during the English Civil War. The Reed family came from him. Their home was in Maiden Newton, which is in the county of Dorset. They moved to London at the end of the 18th century. Andrew Reed (1787-1862), Talbot Reed's grandpa, was a minister in the Congregational Church and the founder of many charitable organizations, such as the London Orphan Asylum and a hospital for people who could not get better. He was also a well-known hymn writer. His "Spirit Divine, attend our prayers" can still be found in many hymnals today. Talbot Baines Reed grew up in a happy family where Charles Reed was very religious and thought that tough outdoor games were the best way to raise boys.
Preface
Introductory chapter. The types and type founding of the first printers
1. The English type bodies and faces
2. The learned, foreign and peculiar characters
3. The printer letter-founders, from Caxton to Day
4. Letter founding as an English mechanical trade
5. The state control of English letter founding
6. The Oxford University foundry
7. The Star Chamber founders, and the London Polyglot
8. Joseph Moxon
9. The later founders of the 17th century
10. Thomas and John James
11. William Caslon
12. Alexander Wilson
13. John Baskerville
14. Thomas Cottrell
15. Joseph and Edmund Fry
16. Joseph Jackson
17. William Martin
18. Vincent Figgins
19. The minor founders of the 18th century
20. William Miller
21. The minor founders from 1800 to 1830
Index.
