P. J. Conkwright: Difference between revisions

P.J. Conkwright was born in Pleasant Jefferson Conkwright on October 23, 1905 in the [[Oklahoma Territory]] to a missionary family. He was introduced to printing through his father in the creation of the church bulletin and a Boy Scout troop newspaper. In 1924, Conkwright enrolled at [[Oklahoma Baptist University]] transferring to the [[University of Oklahoma]], the [[University of Missouri]] and landing at the [[University of Kentucky]] where he received his BA in history.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url = http://press.princeton.edu/about_pup/PUP100/book/3_Conkwright.pdf|title = Twenty Years of the Goudy Award: P. J. Conkwright|date = 2012-05-23|accessdate = 2 January 2016|website = |publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title = American National Biography: Supplement 2|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=wZczV8ZxgL4C|publisher = Oxford University Press, USA|date = 2005-05-12|isbn = 9780195222029|language = en|first = Mark C.|last = Carnes}}</ref>

In 1929, he joined the staff at the [[University of Oklahoma Press]] where he also received his MA in English and history with an emphasis on American printing history, which was also his thesis. In 1934, he married Hazel Dale Boone. <ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

In 1939, he became the art director for the Princeton University Press and later taught design at [[Princeton University]] until his retirement in 1970. At Princeton, he brought innovative and modern design to the conservative academic audience of university books and transformed the university into a center for innovative design. Conkwright’s design philosophy was that the book’s design should be user-friendly for the reader: lie flat when opened; wide margins to allow for holding; stamped spine; and clear, readable type. He also chose carefully the materials to be the best possible and within budget. Many of the designers he hired also received recognition, including: Helen van Zandt, Jan Lilly, and Frank Manhood.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite book|title = A Century in Books: Princeton University Press 1905-2005|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=WzqI_aRBpxMC|publisher = Princeton University Press|date = 2005-01-01|isbn = 069112292X|language = en|first = Staff Princetonuniversity|last = Press}}</ref>

From 1942 to 1976, he had 52 books selected for [[AIGA|AIGA’s]] “Fifty Books of the Year” contest. Among the most memorable work was the multivolume ''Jefferson Papers'', where he designed the [[Mergenthaler Linotype Company|Linotype]] face, Monticello, for the volumes.<ref>{{Cite web|title = UK Alumni Association - Pleasant Jefferson Conkwright|url = http://www.ukalumni.net/s/1052/semi-blank-noimg.aspx?sid=1052&gid=1&pgid=672|website = www.ukalumni.net|accessdate = 2016-01-03}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title = International Book Publishing: An Encyclopedia|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=o-IjCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA59&lpg=PA59&dq=pleasant+jefferson+cockwright&source=bl&ots=FnqdGDw_vX&sig=Z0jrNAvwZ5kZj-5zUMlEva0j_GA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiAuvvvqozKAhWLGh4KHbrOD2AQ6AEIPTAH#v=onepage&q=pleasant%2520jefferson%2520cockwright&f=false|publisher = Routledge|date = 2015-05-08|isbn = 9781134261260|language = en|first = J. Donald Monan Sj Professor of Higher Education and Director Philip G.|last = Altbach|first2 = Philip G.|last2 = Altbach|first3 = Edith S.|last3 = Hoshino}}</ref> 

In 1955, he received the [[List of AIGA medalists|AIGA Gold Metal]] in recognition of his work.<ref name=":0" /> In September of 1956, he received a [[Guggenheim Fellowship|Guggenheim fellowship]] to study design and typography in Europe.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|title = John Simon Guggenheim Foundation {{!}} P. J. Conkwright Jr.|url = http://www.gf.org/fellows/all-fellows/p-j-conkwright-jr/|website = www.gf.org|accessdate = 2016-01-02}}</ref> In 1974, the received the [[Frederic W. Goudy Award|Goudy Award]].<ref name=":0" />