- M. C. Oliver
Infobox Artist
name = M. C. Oliver
Born = London England
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birthname = Mervyn Cecil Oliver
birthdate = 1886
location =London ,England
deathdate = 1958 (Age 72)
deathplace =London ,England
nationality = British
field =Calligraphy ,Silversmithing
training =Edward Johnston ,Royal College of Arts
movement =
works =
patrons =
awards =MBE Mervyn C. Oliver
MBE (3 March 1886 -10 December 1958 ) was a twentieth century Britishcalligrapher andsilversmith taught byEdward Johnston and an early Craft Member of theSociety of Scribes and Illuminators [ [http://www.calligraphyonline.org/index.html The Society of Scribes and Illuminators] ] (SSI). He is most renowned for his work on theStalingrad Sword as well as the designing of several war memorials throughout theUnited Kingdom including those atDurham University andEton College . His work has been exhibited throughout Europe and America, most notably in London'sVictoria & Albert Museum [ [http://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/prints_books/modern_calligraphy/index.html Victoria & Albert Museum] ] , and the Harrison collection [ [http://sfpl.lib.ca.us/librarylocations/main/bookarts/prestianni.htm The Harrison Collection] ] inSan Francisco's Public Library , both of which still retain a few examples of his work amongst the other pieces of twentieth century calligraphy they maintain. Oliver taught at the Central School of Arts and Crafts, London, TheChelsea School of Art ,St. Martin's School of Art and the Hampstead Garden Suburb Institute and is hailed by the SSI as being one of the "greatest British teachers of the twentieth century." As such he played a major part in the revival of British calligraphy which was begun byEdward Johnston in the early 1900s, with former pupils including the former chairwoman of the SSI Heather Child. He was the author of the chapters on the design of manuscript books and inscriptions, and the development of illumination in "The Calligrapher's Handbook" (1956) and was awarded theMBE for his contributions to British art in the same year.References
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