Sir Cyril Burt and typography

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

Art · Comprehension · Linguistics · Reading (process) · Reading comprehension · Typeface · Typography · Visual arts · Graphic Design and Typography · Military, Security, and Education Studies · Psychology · Social Psychology