Thomas Lloyd (stenographer)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Lloyd known as the “Father of American Shorthand,” was born in London
on August 14 to William and Hannah Biddle Lloyd. Lloyd studied at the College of St. Omer in Flanders
, where he first learned his method of shorthand
. This very method of shorthand earned him his nickname as he published the most complete and official record of the First Continental Congress
from the notes taken in his shorthand. Some of his other prominent accomplishments include working for the United States Treasurer and reporting the first Inaugural Address given by George Washington
, which was then published in the Gazette of the United States.
, Lloyd joined the effort by volunteering for the Fifth Independent Company of the Maryland Militia
with whom he fought in the Long Island campaign during 1776, and upon its disbandment, enlisted in the Fourth Company of the Fourth Regiment of Maryland. Wounded at the Battle of Brandywine
, Lloyd was discharged in February of 1779.
. His continued interest in politics lead him to attend the first session of the Federal Congress. His publication of the record for that session earned him a permanent position in all Congressional debates. His publication, the Congressional Register, became widely known as the most accurate and official documentation of debates and was used frequently by individual Congressmen for quotes. As Lloyd’s publishing career continued, his partisan
work brought criticism from outside sources. Failing to publish his notes from the Maryland Convention and the anti-Federalist speeches from the Pennsylvania Convention, Lloyd earned a reputation as an ardent supporter of the Constitution, but also earned criticism from fellow journalists and political figures alike who accused him of taking bribes. In 1789, Lloyd reported on the first session of the First House of Representatives
and was appointed official recorder for the second session. While Lloyd continued recording various political debates and Congressional sessions, his publication of the Register concluded in 1790.
for debt and upon his release, returned to the United States in hopes of once again publishing his recordings. However, upon his return, Lloyd was not given back his position with Congress and found himself out of work.
, prominent publisher and employee of the Pennsylvania Herald worked with Lloyd to learn his method of shorthand and in January of 1793, published The System of Shorthand Practiced by Thomas Lloyd in Taking Down the Debates of Congress and Now (With His Permission) Published for General Use.
those wishing to learn shorthand.
Lloyd died on January 19, 1827 and was buried in the cemetery of St. Augustine Church
which is located on Fourth, near Vine, in Philadelphia. He was survived by three daughters and Maria Daly Shea
who was raised in his household and eventually became the heir of the Lloyd family papers.
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
on August 14 to William and Hannah Biddle Lloyd. Lloyd studied at the College of St. Omer in Flanders
Flanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
, where he first learned his method of shorthand
Shorthand
Shorthand is an abbreviated symbolic writing method that increases speed or brevity of writing as compared to a normal method of writing a language. The process of writing in shorthand is called stenography, from the Greek stenos and graphē or graphie...
. This very method of shorthand earned him his nickname as he published the most complete and official record of the First Continental Congress
First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress was a convention of delegates from twelve of the thirteen North American colonies that met on September 5, 1774, at Carpenters' Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, early in the American Revolution. It was called in response to the passage of the Coercive Acts by the...
from the notes taken in his shorthand. Some of his other prominent accomplishments include working for the United States Treasurer and reporting the first Inaugural Address given by George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
, which was then published in the Gazette of the United States.
Soldier
Immigrating just prior to the outbreak of the American Revolutionary WarAmerican Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
, Lloyd joined the effort by volunteering for the Fifth Independent Company of the Maryland Militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
with whom he fought in the Long Island campaign during 1776, and upon its disbandment, enlisted in the Fourth Company of the Fourth Regiment of Maryland. Wounded at the Battle of Brandywine
Battle of Brandywine
The Battle of Brandywine, also known as the Battle of the Brandywine or the Battle of Brandywine Creek, was fought between the American army of Major General George Washington and the British-Hessian army of General Sir William Howe on September 11, 1777. The British defeated the Americans and...
, Lloyd was discharged in February of 1779.
Stenographer
Lloyd married Mary Carson in 1780 and moved to Philadelphia where he generated a reputation as a skilled stenographer and teacherTeacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
. His continued interest in politics lead him to attend the first session of the Federal Congress. His publication of the record for that session earned him a permanent position in all Congressional debates. His publication, the Congressional Register, became widely known as the most accurate and official documentation of debates and was used frequently by individual Congressmen for quotes. As Lloyd’s publishing career continued, his partisan
Partisan (political)
In politics, a partisan is a committed member of a political party. In multi-party systems, the term is widely understood to carry a negative connotation - referring to those who wholly support their party's policies and are perhaps even reluctant to acknowledge correctness on the part of their...
work brought criticism from outside sources. Failing to publish his notes from the Maryland Convention and the anti-Federalist speeches from the Pennsylvania Convention, Lloyd earned a reputation as an ardent supporter of the Constitution, but also earned criticism from fellow journalists and political figures alike who accused him of taking bribes. In 1789, Lloyd reported on the first session of the First House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
and was appointed official recorder for the second session. While Lloyd continued recording various political debates and Congressional sessions, his publication of the Register concluded in 1790.
In London
After then end of Lloyd’s publications, he returned to London with his family in 1791. Hitting a string of bad luck, Lloyd was put in Newgate prisonNewgate Prison
Newgate Prison was a prison in London, at the corner of Newgate Street and Old Bailey just inside the City of London. It was originally located at the site of a gate in the Roman London Wall. The gate/prison was rebuilt in the 12th century, and demolished in 1777...
for debt and upon his release, returned to the United States in hopes of once again publishing his recordings. However, upon his return, Lloyd was not given back his position with Congress and found himself out of work.
Method Published
Mathew CareyMathew Carey
Mathew Carey was an Irish-born American publisher and economist.-Early days:Carey came from a middle-class family and was born in Dublin in 1760. He entered the bookselling and printing business in 1775, and when still only seventeen published a pamphlet criticizing dueling...
, prominent publisher and employee of the Pennsylvania Herald worked with Lloyd to learn his method of shorthand and in January of 1793, published The System of Shorthand Practiced by Thomas Lloyd in Taking Down the Debates of Congress and Now (With His Permission) Published for General Use.
Legacy
The last known publication by Lloyd was a work that compiled the full structure of his shorthand system that ended up being his legacy that was published in 1819. His book, Lloyd’s Stenography, was designed to be sold as a manualUser guide
A user guide or user's guide, also commonly known as a manual, is a technical communication document intended to give assistance to people using a particular system...
those wishing to learn shorthand.
Lloyd died on January 19, 1827 and was buried in the cemetery of St. Augustine Church
St. Augustine Church, Philadelphia
St. Augustine Catholic Church, also called Olde St. Augustine's, is a historic Catholic church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Consecrated in 1848, the Palladian-style church was designed by Napoleon LeBrun. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.The church was...
which is located on Fourth, near Vine, in Philadelphia. He was survived by three daughters and Maria Daly Shea
Maria Daly Shea
Maria Daly Shea was born in County Tyrone, Ireland. She was brought to America at the age of three and, in Philadelphia, became a member of the household of Thomas Lloyd...
who was raised in his household and eventually became the heir of the Lloyd family papers.