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Sir Cyril Burt and typography: A re‐evaluation
Author(s) -
Hartley James,
Rooum Donald
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
british journal of psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.536
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 2044-8295
pISSN - 0007-1269
DOI - 10.1111/j.2044-8295.1983.tb01856.x
Subject(s) - typeface , typography , psychology , comprehension , reading (process) , reading comprehension , linguistics , social psychology , visual arts , art , philosophy
Sir Cyril Burt contributed to five main areas of typographical research: spacing words and text; the use of serifs; the effects of typefaces, typesizes and line‐lengths on reading comprehension; and aesthetic preferences. Hearnshaw (1979) assessed this contribution as worthy of ‘well‐merited acclaim’. In this article we examine what Burt had to say on each of these issues, and how far what is said is applicable to typographic practice today. It appears, despite the wisdom of some of the sentiments expressed, that many of them were opinions which were not supported by the data that Burt presented. Indeed there is possible evidence of deceit. We conclude, therefore, (and Hearnshaw accepts) that Burt's contribution to typographic practice was marred by the same defects that one can find in his other work.