Thomas Gurney (shorthand writer)

Thomas Gurney (1705–1770) was an early English shorthand-writer and developer of shorthand style used by Charles Dickens.

Thomas was intended for a farmer, but his inclination for books and mechanics was so decided, that when put to farming he ran away twice.

In order to obtain a work on astrology, about which he had a boyish curiosity, he purchased at a sale a lot containing an edition of William Mason's "Shorthand," which he studied to such purpose that at the age of 16 he began to take down sermons.

On 16 October 1750 he published his system under the title of Brachygraphy, or Swift Writing made Easy to the Meanest Capacity.

The whole is founded on so just a plan, that it is wrote with greater expedition than any yet invented, and likewise may be read with the greatest ease.

One of the early learners of the system was Erasmus Darwin, who contributed some commendatory verses to the second edition, published in 1752.