Trenholm, George F., 1886-1958

George Francis Trenholm, typographer and graphic artist, was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on October 23, 1886. After graduation from Somerville High School in 1905, he studied with painter Charles E. Heil at the Norman Art School, with graphic artist Vojetch Preissig at the Wentworth Institute, and at the Massachusetts Normal Art School. While studying, he worked in advertising for Boston jewelers Bigelow, Kennard Company, then in the art department for a color printer, and finally in sales for an engraver.

By 1917, Trenholm had established his own design studio in Boston. He gained prominence in the field of graphic design through his innovative advertisements, demonstration books for paper companies, and hand lettered designs for keepsakes. He also designed typefaces, starting in 1927 with his eponymous Trenholm Old Style, Trenholm Cursive, and Trenholm Bold, all of which became standards in the industry. He also created Georgian Cursive (1934) for the Machine Composition Company, followed by a book face, Cornell (1936). In 1940, he became a consultant for the Intertype Corporation, designing Egmont Initials and Nova Script, as well as others for the company. His distinctive "GFT" trademark was widely known in graphic design and typography over a forty-year career.

Trenholm served as President of the Boston Society of Printers and was one of the organizers of the Book Builders Society (later Bookbuilders of Boston). He also taught book design for the Massachusetts Department of Education Vocational Division in Norwood, Massachusetts. He was a member of numerous professional organizations including the American Institute of Graphic Arts, the Boston Club of Printing House Craftsmen, the Typophiles, and the Stowaways. For many of these organizations he also designed keepsakes, newsletters, and pamphlets. In both 1941 and 1942, he was chosen as reviewer of the Tileston and Hollingsworth paper company’s design calendar, an annual event hosted by the Printing House Craftsmen.

Trenholm died December 21, 1958.