Caslon is the name given to serif typefaces designed by William Caslon I (1692–1766) in London, or inspired by his work.
Caslon worked as an engraver of punches, the masters used to stamp the moulds or matrices used to cast metal type. He worked in the tradition of what is now called old-style serif letter design, that produced letters with a relatively organic structure resembling handwriting with a pen. Caslon established a tradition of designing type in London, which had not been common, and so he was influenced by the imported Dutch Baroque typefaces that were popular in England at the time.[1][2][3] His typefaces established a strong reputation for their quality and their attractive appearance, suitable for extended passages of text.