Emery Walker

Emery Walker ( born April 2 in 1851; † July 22, 1933 ) was an eminent English printer and typographer.

Life

He grew up in Norfolk, where his father worked as a coach builder. After his father's blindness Walker left at a young age to school and had to support his family.

In the Sunday school he was taught by the English landscape painter Henry Dawson ( 1811-1878 ). His eldest son founded in 1872, the company " Typographic Etching Company". Here Walker found a permanent job, collected substantial experience in the printing industry and was given an insight into the commercial production areas. Since 1883 was Walker Secretary of the Socialist section in Hammersmith, the " Democratic Federation ". Here he made, among others, the acquaintance with William Morris.

In 1886, Walker founded his own company, the " Walker & Boutall, Automatic and Photographic Engravers " and in 1888 he was one of the founders of the "Arts & Crafts Exhibition Society ." On behalf of the " Society " Walker had kept his famous lecture on the history of the printing system, which moved to Morris to found the " Kelmscott Press ". Morris offered to Walker, the press to conduct together in a partnership, but what Walker refused. He probably wanted to be a formal partner of a creative genius. Walker remained the theoretical Consultant and Morris the artist of the " Kelmscott Press ". After Morris 's death Walker founded together with the bookbinder Thomas Cobden - Sanderson James (1840-1922), the " Doves Press."

Walker was one of the main facilitators of Arts reform of the " Kelmscott Press " and typographic consultant the following generation of English, but also German printer and book artist. He was a corresponding member of the Grolier Club.