BASKERVILLE (John), an eminent artist, especially in letter-founding and printing, of the present century. He was born in 1706 at Waverley in Worcestershire, and was heir to an estate of about 60 l. a-year; the whole of which income he allowed to his parents till their deaths. In his early years he conceived a love for fine writing, and cutting in stone; and being brought up to no particular profession, he commenced writing master in Birmingham when about 20 years of age. The improvements in different manufactures there soon drew his attention, and he applied to the Japan business, which he carried on for a long time with distinguished excellence and success. In 1750 he applied himself to letter-founding, the bringing of which to perfection cost him much labour and expence. In a few years he proceeded to printing; and his first work was an edition of Virgil on royal quarto, which now sells for three guineas. In a short time he obtained leave from the university of Cambridge to print a Bible in royal folio, and editions of the Common Prayer in three sizes; for which he paid a large sum to the university. He afterwards printed Horace, Terence, Catullus, Lucretius, Juvenal, Sallust, and Florus, in royal quarto; Virgil in octavo; and several books in duodecimo. He published likewise some of the English classics. The best testimonies of the merit of these performances are themselves; and Mr Baskerville's name is deservedly ranked among those who, in modern times, have brought the art of printing to its greatest perfection. Not meeting, however, with that encouragement from the booksellers which he expected, he set up a letter-foundry for sale a little before his death; which business is now carried on by his widow. He died without issue in July 1775.