Francis Thibaudeau (1860, Cholet, France – 1925, Paris) is a French typographer and creator of the first well-established system for classifying typefaces, the Thibaudeau classification. He devised his system while developing the catalogues for the Renault & Marcou and G. Peignot & Fils foundries in the early 20th century. He worked at G. Peignot & Fils (1898–1919), Peignot & Cie (1919–1923), and Deberny & Peignot (1923–1925).

His book, La lettre d'imprimerie (The Letter of the Printing Office), is printed in Auriol, a typeface designed by its namesake, George Auriol and reflecting typical Art Nouveau design. In this text, he states clearly his patriotic purpose: "May this work of popularization [...] inspire interest in the nature of the printed letter and then in the art of its use and applications, [...] for the greatest profit of the national industry and the triumph of French art."^[1]

References

• Jubert, Roxane. "The Bauhaus Context: Typography and Graphic Design in France." Design Issues. 22.4 (Autumn 2006): 66–80.
• Consuegra, David. American Type Design & Designers. Allworth Communications, Inc., 2004, p. 26. (ISBN 1581153201, ISBN 978-1-58115-320-0)

Publications by Thibaudeau

• Thibaudeau, Francis. La Lettre D'Imprimerie. Paris: Bureau de l'édition, 1921.
• Thibaudeau, Francis. Manuel français de typographie moderne. Paris: Bureau de l'édition, 1924.

Notes

External links

• Brief biographical article at Typographie & Civilization (in French)