Tell-tale ways with a pen that lay bare a great Briton
Handwriting of Newton, Brunel and Victoria betrays key shared traits
IF YOUR handwriting slants to the right, and you cross your “t” with a flourish, you will be glad to learn you are in distinguished company.
A study of the penmanship of famous Britons such as Isaac Newton, Florence Nightingale and Queen Victoria shows they share a striking number of characteristics.
Graphologist Tracey Trussell claims there are remarkable similarities in the way well-known scientists, monarchs and pioneers expressed themselves.
Working with Royal Mail, Ms Trussell analysed letters and notes from the nation’s defining figures and found common traits included a narrow right margin, a marked slant to the right and long and high “t” bars.
Most also showed a steady rhythm to their writing, large “upper zones”, seen in the high stems of letters “b”, “d”, and “k”; wide, roomy characters; and extravagant “lower zones” such as when writing “g”, “j” “p”, “q” and “y”.
Ms Trussell said: “Handwriting is like ‘brain writing’ because it comes through the central nervous system. These samples have thrown up some strong clues as to what underpins a Great Briton.”
The nature of joined-up script reflects a writer’s thinking process and ability to function in social situations, said Ms Trussell. Connected words are indicative of an articulate, logical and adventurous person.
She said the writing of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who helped to revolutionise transport and industry in Victorian England, reflected single-mindedness and an indomitable spirit.
A sample from 1838, when he was 32, showed sharp, spiky letters with a marked right slant, fast speed, long and light “t” bars, betraying a wildly ambitious individual but also a realist, said Ms Trussell, adding: “Brunel was outspoken, assertive, highly persuasive, yet with diplomatic aplomb.”
A sample taken from Queen Victoria in 1858, when she was 39, showed among other traits a marked right slant, fast speed, a stilted quality, long high and some crucifix “t” bars, wide ink-filled or flooded ovals and vanity loops. “The ‘stilted’ quality of her writing, where the natural rhythmic flow of the handwriting is restrained, demonstrates the control, repression and self-discipline the writer was placing on her natural enthusiasm,” said Ms Trussell.
The writing of Isaac Newton – with a large signature and elaborate capital letters – reveals “a big ego”. “He loved showing off his superior knowledge. He was selfimportant – locked into who he was.”
In contrast, Florence Nightingale’s hand reveals a “fair and diplomatic” individual “wanting to do good deeds, always with people’s best interests at heart”.