Robert Besley, the Clarendon Typeface and the Longbow

A title of apparently random subjects for this week’s post, but they all illustrate the many stories behind the plaques that can be found across the City of London, starting with, as far as I know, the only Lord Mayor of the City of London to have created a typeface: Robert Besley, Alderman and Lord Mayor Aldersgate Street at its northern end, runs straight into Goswell Road. There is little to indicate this change in name for anyone walking or driving along the street, it just continues on past the point where the name changes. On the western side of the street, there are two street name signs on two terrace houses, and on the left hand house is a City of London blue plaque: The plaque is easy to miss and reasonably difficult to read due to being on the first floor of the building. It records that “Opposite this tablet a Drinking Fountain was erected in 1878 in memory of Robert Besley Esq. Alderman of this Ward and Lord Mayor of London 1869-70. Removed 1934”: The plaque raises a…