Type Designer- Robert Middleton

Robert Hunter Middleton was born in 1898 in Glasgow, Scotland. He was the designer of multiple typefaces including Eusebius, Tempo, Karnak, Mayfair, Eden, Stellar, Delphian, Umbra, Mandate, Garamond, Cameo, Ludlow Black, Lafayette, Bodoni Campanile, Coronet Bold and Light, and Radiant.

In 1908, at the age of 10, Middleton emigrated to the US and studied at the School of the Art Institute in Chicago. Together, Middleton and his professor Ernst Detterer began working on designing on a typeface called Eusebius (named after the Roman historian who lived in the 300s). Later, their design was commissioned by the Ludlow Typograph Co., and when Middleton graduated, he began working for Ludlow. In 1933, he became head of the type design department there. While at Ludlow, he was responsible for the development of their type library.

Middleton was one of the founders of the Society of Typographic Arts, the Chicago Designers, and the Aspen Design Conference.

In his personal life, Middleton collected wood engravings and operated his own private press called the Cherryburn Press. He as also interested in book binding, collecting over 150 designs for binding and possessing a sample book of designs that he could reproduce. In 1968, Middleton was awarded the TDC Medal from the Type Director's Club, which is presented to those "who have made significant contributions to the life, art, and craft of typography." Middleton died in Chicago on August 3, 1985 at the age of 87.

Archives of Middleton's work can be seen today at the nearby Newberry Library, the special collections at the University of Chicago, and at the Art Institute of Chicago.

I enjoyed learning about Middleton and I admire that a simple project with one of his professors launched his professional career. His experimentation opened the door to him for employment, future promotions and opportunities, and ultimately the recognition as a noteworthy member of the type design world.


The Society of Typographic Arts:
https://sta-chicago.org/
(check out their page, it's pretty cool!)