[f. same elements as CALLIGRAPH + -ER: cf. philosoph-er.]
1. One who writes beautifully: sometimes (with qualification) merely = penman.
1815. Scott, Guy M., xv. He should have been a calligrapher.
1824. D’Israeli, Cur. Lit., Autographs. Queen Elizabeth … was indeed a most elegant caligrapher.
2. spec. One who professes the art of elegant penmanship; a professional transcriber of manuscripts.
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., s.v. Calligraphy, Calligraphy is also used to denote the calligrapher’s work, in transcribing fair and at large.
1838–9. Hallam, Hist. Lit., I. I. ii. 140, note. Against Thomas à Kempis it is urged that he was a professed calligrapher.
1864. R. Chambers, Bk. of Days, II. 309. A caligrapher, a writer and engraver of ‘letters, knots and flourishes.’
