Thomas Lloyd (stenographer)

Thomas Lloyd (stenographer)

Thomas Lloyd (1756–1827), 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.