Chirography is the study of calligraphy, including handwriting, scripts, and penmanship. It has a long history and is still of interest today, with applications in deciphering old documents, studying modern handwriting, and authenticating documents. Chirographers can be found in academic, museum, and forensic settings.
Chirography is the study of calligraphy. Historically, everything was written by hand, creating a wealth of material for chirographers to work with. In the modern era, other forms of printing and communication are available, but the study of calligraphy is still a topic of interest and exploration. Calligraphy includes basic handwriting along with scripts, penmanship, and other forms of hand-made writing.
The word “chirography” combines the Greek words for “hand” and “writing.” Handwriting has a long history in human cultures, and some chirographers enjoy studying the history of handwriting, from the earliest printed alphabets to the present day. Topics of interest include the divergence of writing systems, the origins of writing systems, borrowed writing systems, and the evolution of those systems.
Knowledge of chirography can also be very valuable for going over old handwritten documents. Handwriting in many languages has changed substantially over the centuries, and it is sometimes difficult to distinguish or understand documents, even when they are written in a familiar language. A chirographer familiar with the writing arrangements of the period in which the document was written can examine it to decipher the text, making this field of study very valuable to historians.
Chirographers are also, of course, interested in modern handwriting systems. The study of chirography includes the study of calligraphic scripts still in use today, such as those used with many Asian languages, along with the study of cultural perceptions of handwriting and the changes in writing norms that occur in the modern era. Many are interested in children who are not taught the art of calligraphy due to changing cultural values on handwriting.
Chirography can also be useful for authenticating documents. Handwriting experts can be used to make comparisons between known samples and a document under discussion, but a chirograph can provide more context about the document’s origins. While handwriting experts often look for the quirks of individual character and try to gain insight into the writer’s psyche, a chirographer can look at a document and glean information about its cultural origins.
Chirographs can be found working in a range of settings. Some are primarily interested in research and education in academic settings, but can also be found in museums and similar facilities, as well as in forensic teams examining evidence related to legal cases for the purpose of gathering data that can be used to learn more about the case.
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