An Introduction to Greek and Latin Palaeography traces the development of handwriting in the Greek and Latin alphabets from the earliest papyri up to the book hands of the middle ages and the court hands of the seventeenth century. It is, without doubt, the best introductory text on the subject ever to appear in English. This edition has been completely reset, and the illustrations have been digitally enhanced.
Sir Edward Maunde Thompson (1840-1929) entered University College, Oxford, in 1859 but had to leave before completing his degree. He entered the library of the British Museum (now British Library) in 1861 and became Keeper of Manuscripts in 1878. He was appointed Principal Librarian in 1888.

Preface1Preface to the Tiger of the Stripe Edition 3CHAPTER I The Greek and Latin Alphabets 5The Greek Alphabet 6The Latin Alphabet 9CHAPTER II Materials Used to Receive Writing 11Leaves 11 Bark 12 Linen 13 Clay and Pottery 13 Wall-spaces 14Precious Metals 14 Lead 14 Bronze 16 Wood 16 Waxed and other Tablets 17Greek Waxed Tablets 20 Latin Waxed Tablets 21CHAPTER III Materials Used to Receive Writing (continued) 24Papyrus24 Skins 30 Parchment and Vellum 31 Paper 37CHAPTER IV Writing Implements, etc.42The Stilus, Pen, etc.42 Inks, etc. 44 Various Implements 46CHAPTER V Forms of Books, etc. 47The Roll 47 The Codex 54 Gatherings or Quires 56 Ruling 57Arrangement of the Text 58 Paragraphs 61 Punctuation - Greek 63Punctuation - Latin 63 Breathings and Accents and other Signs - Greek 64Accents and other Signs - Latin 67 Palimpsests 67CHAPTER VIStichometry and Colometry 70Tachygraphy 74Cryptography 77CHAPTER VIIAbbreviations and Contractions78Greek 78Latin 87Numerals93CHAPTER VIIIGreek Palaeography96Papyri 96The Antiquity of Greek Writing 104Divisions of Greek Palaeography 105CHAPTER IX Greek Palaeography (continued) 107The Literary hand or Book-hand in Papyri 107CHAPTER X Greek Palaeography (continued) 151Cursive Script in Papyri 151CHAPTER XI Greek Palaeography (continued) 200The Uncial Book-hand in Vellum Codices 200CHAPTER XII Greek Palaeography (continued) 220The Minuscule Book-hand in the Middle Ages 220Greek Writing in Western Europe 268CHAPTER XIII Latin Palaeography 274The Majuscule Book-hand - Capitals 274Uncials 286CHAPTER XIV Latin Palaeography (continued) 300The Mixed Uncial and Minuscule Book-hand 300The half-uncial Book-hand 307CHAPTER XV Latin Palaeography (continued) 312The Roman Cursive Script 312CHAPTER XVI Latin Palaeography (continued) 342National Minuscule Book-hands 342 Visigothic 343 Lombardic 348Merovingian 356 Franco-Lombardic 358 Pre-Carolingian 362The Carolingian Reform 369CHAPTER XVII Latin Palaeography (continued) 373The Irish Book-hand (Half-uncial and Minuscule) 373The Early English Book-hand (Half-uncial and Minuscule) 386CHAPTER XVIII Latin Palaeography (continued) 405The Minuscule Book-hand in the Middle Ages 405The English Vernacular Book-hand in the Middle Ages 475CHAPTER XIX Latin Palaeography (continued) 493Official and Legal Cursive Scripts 493The Official and Legal Cursive Script in England 507Bibliography 575Greek and Latin Palaeography575 Greek Palaeography 576Latin Palaeography579 Reproductions of Manuscripts584Index 589