* Early influences: Roman cursive, a fast, flowing script used by Romans, laid the groundwork.
* Medieval times: The Carolingian minuscule, a clear and legible script developed in the 9th century, was crucial in shaping the later development of handwriting.
* Renaissance: The invention of the printing press led to the standardization of fonts and a renewed focus on legibility. This influenced the development of cursive, making it more efficient for writing.
* 16th-18th centuries: Different writing masters, like Louis Maddocks and John Ayres, created various styles of cursive with specific flourishes and connecting letters.
* 19th century: Cursive became increasingly popular with the rise of education and the need for quick, efficient writing. It became the standard form of handwriting instruction in schools.
Therefore, English cursive is a product of collective evolution rather than a single invention.
Here are some key figures who contributed to its development:
* Aldus Manutius: A Venetian printer who introduced italic type, which influenced cursive.
* Louis Maddocks: An English writing master who developed a popular style of cursive in the 16th century.
* John Ayres: An English writing master who published influential writing manuals in the 17th century.
It's important to note that cursive continues to evolve and adapt to modern times.