• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

The Society of Scribes and Illuminators

Explore the beauty of calligraphy

  • Home
  • Events
    • Events Calendar
    • CAPITAL LETTERS 2023
    • CAPITAL LETTERS 2022
    • Cancellations Policy
  • Exhibitions
    • Words Made Beautiful – centenary exhibition 2022
    • Divine Inspiration
  • Education
    • Correspondence Course
    • Creative Development Course
    • Study Days 2023
    • Tuition
    • Non-SSI Courses & Workshops
    • Cancellations Policy
  • Shop
    • Basket
  • Membership
    • Types of membership
    • Membership Rates
    • Join or Renew Online
    • Volunteering
    • Cancellations Policy
    • Log In
    • Membership Help
  • Fellows
    • Fellows’ Galleries
    • Fellowship
  • Commissions
  • About
    • 100 Years of History
    • Who does what
    • Regional Calligraphy Groups
    • Rules of the SSI
    • The SSI Record
      • Honorary Members
      • Former Chairmen
      • Former Honorary Secretaries
      • Former Treasurers
    • Library
    • Copyright
  • Links & Docs
    • Downloads
    • Links to other sites
    • Suppliers
  • Contact

100 Years of History

100 Years of the Society of Scribes & Illuminators

At some point in mid-2021, a relatively new member dreamily said, “Wouldn’t it be nice to have a history of the SSI?” And I thought – “I can do that easily because I already keep the SSI Record”. I understood the difference between the two approaches: the Record is of individuals rather than of the Society, and not how the Society has changed over its 100 years.

Well, it wasn’t quite that easy, and the original deadline I’d set myself of 31 December 2021 was pushed out considerably. That was partly because there was more material to incorporate than I’d first thought, and partly because of health issues for both me and Stan Knight FSSI, who was a generous contributor. But now all is well for us both, and a First Edition is now available on our website as a downloadable PDF.

A Second Edition will not be available until 2024 at the earliest, as it will include the earliest material in our archives held at the V&A, who are making building changes. So, if you wish to comment or suggest changes, you have plenty of time!

I hope you find the short Foreword interesting, and the other 60 pages a useful point of reference. It is freely available, you do not need to use your password, and you may share it as widely as you like. Any errors are mine and I rely on you all to correct them with me!

Maggie Berry

history@calligraphyonline.org

Download History Part 1
Edward Johnston
Inside the Words Made Beautiful catalogue
The catalogue of the SSI’s Centenary Exhibition, ‘Words Made Beautiful’

Footer

The Society of Scribes and Illuminators, based in the UK, is one of the most established and well-respected calligraphy societies in the world.
This website gives information about the Society, its aims, membership and activities.

Copyright 2019 The Society of Scribes and Illuminators. Individual images remain the copyright of the artist. The Society is a non-profit organisation.

Terms and Conditions | Privacy

Find us on Facebook