Philippe Grandjean (1666-1714)
Grandjean's career in typography was due to a chance visit to a Parisian printers. He was fascinated and soon started designing letters. In 1692, Louis XIV decreed that a new typeface should be created which would be for the exclusive use of the Imprimerie Royale. Grandjean was given the job of cutting the type and he worked on it for 6 years. This new type, the Romain du Roi (King's Roman), established his reputation.
The Romain du Roi is important in the history of typography because it was the first real departure from the old style faces in use at the time. It was a step towards the modern typeface. And despite the King's trademark, it was widely copied.
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