author
Thomas MacKellar
1812–1899
A major figure in 19th-century American printing, this New York–born type founder helped shape the craft in Philadelphia and also wrote poetry and prose. He is best remembered today for The American Printer, a practical guide that became a well-known resource for printers.
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About the author
Born in New York on August 12, 1812, Thomas MacKellar entered the printing world as a teenager at Harper Brothers. In 1833 he moved to Philadelphia and joined the type foundry of Johnson & Smith as a proofreader, beginning the long career that made him one of the best-known practical men in American typography.
MacKellar went on to become a printer, type-founder, and author whose name is closely linked with Philadelphia's printing trade. His best-known book, The American Printer, offered detailed instruction on the day-to-day work of a printing office and remained an important manual for the trade. He also wrote verse and other literary pieces, showing a blend of technical skill and literary feeling that was unusual and memorable.
He died on February 29, 1899. Although he is often introduced through his handbook for printers, his broader legacy is that of a craftsman-writer who helped explain, preserve, and celebrate the world of 19th-century printing.