Robert R. Reid Medal for Martin Jackson

Jan. 23

Vancouver Calligrapher Awarded Robert R. Reid Medal

Given on an occasional basis, The Robert R. Reid Medal for Lifetime Achievement in the Book Arts in Canada recognizes lifetime achievement or extraordinary contributions to the book arts in this country.

It is the great pleasure of the Board of the Alcuin Society to award the Robert R. Reid Medal to Martin Jackson, one of Canada’s foremost calligraphers and educators of the craft in Canada and abroad. The Board awarded the medal in 2023 and it will be presented to Jackson in Vancouver at a small ceremony in early 2024.

Jackson was born in Sheffield, England, and immigrated to Canada in 1966. He has committed more than 65 years of experience to the fields of both graphic design and calligraphy, and for over 50 years has run his own design studio in Vancouver.

While based on the West Coast, Jackson has dedicated his career to ensuring the calligraphic arts endure through lectures and workshops across Canada, the United States, Japan, Australia, and Europe.

Among his many commissions are pieces for the visit to Canada of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, and for the visit of Pope Paul II in 1984. He also produced the calligraphy for the wedding reception of Bill and Melinda Gates. When not working on his calligraphy he is an avid cross-country skier, and he collects and rears moths and butterflies.

Read an interview with Martin Jackson here.