Biography

● Born in Topeka, Kansas in 1911

● Went to Washburn College for his formal art
education and earned his degree in 1934
● From 1938 onward, Thompson accepted any graphic
design opportunity he was given
● Opportunities came from firms and magazines,
example would Kellogg-Stillson printing firm and
Mademoiselle and Westvaco Inspirations magazines
which the latter would provide most of his work
● Thompson taught at Yale for several years
● Published his monumental work The Washburn
College Bible
● Passed in 1995

Washburn’s “Ichabod” designed by

Thompson
Typography
Thompson: “Type can be a tool, a toy, and a teacher; it can
provide a means of livelihood, a hobby for relaxation, an
intellectual stimulant, and spiritual satisfaction. An interest in
type necessarily includes a zest for everyday life.”

● Thompson’s greatest work of typography came out of

his limited three-volume bible he did for Washburn
College that was released in 1979
● He also did Alphabet 26 which was a simplified plan
of representing the alphabet to children who have
difficulty remembering the characters after Thompson
seeing his own son having problems
The 1960’s
● Thompson prevailed in the sixties with his colorful
designs that appeared in the Westvaco Inspirations
● The magazine allowed him total creative freedom
while also giving him all the tools express that
creativity
● His experimentation grew wildly during this period of
his life
● Other typographers that came into fruition during the
sixties include: Wim Crouweland Wolfgang Weingart
Westvaco Inspirtations
The Washburn College Bible
Alphabet 26
Sources
https://www.famousgraphicdesigners.org/bradbury-thompson

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/496451558894092215/

https://www.pbagalleries.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/393/lot/122455/Holy-Bible-The-Washburn-College-Bible-Modern-Phrased-Version-Authorized-King-James-Text-Limited-Edition

https://www.wualumni.org/washburn-college-bible

https://aigaaix0m5kinte.azurewebsites.net/bradbury-thompson-alphabet-26

https://www.marybakereddylibrary.org/project/holy-bible-modern-phrased-version-the-washburn-college-bible/

http://www.designishistory.com/1960/bradbury-thompson/

http://blog.iso50.com/25624/westvaco-inspirations/

http://www.designishistory.com/