William Ged

Background

Ged was born in Edinburgh, United Kingdom in 1699.

Career

In 1725, Ged invented stereotyping, a process in which a whole page of type is cast in a single mold so that a printing plate can be made from it.

Ged was unable to interest the printers of Edinburgh in his invention and therefore went to London, where he entered into partnership with William Fenner and Thomas James.

Because of the opposition of rival compositors and the dishonesty of his partners, Ged was no more successful in London than he had been in Edinburgh, and in 1733 he returned to Scotland. From the University of Cambridge, he was commissioned to print Bibles and prayer books, but this was prevented by intrigue. In 1736 he completed a Sallust. Andrew Wilson, the printer of Charles Stanhope, 3rd Earl Stanhope perfected his invention.

Achievements

• He has been credited with the invention of stereotyping.

Connections

Partner:

William Fenner