W. & A. K. Johnston

William Johnston began his business as steel and copper plate printer in Edinburgh on Christmas Day 1825. He was joined in this business in May 1826 by his brother Alexander. Both were apprentices with James Kirkwood & Sons before setting up in business.

Alexander was fascinated with geography and was disgusted with the inaccuracies in maps available on Scotland so decided to make map making the primary concern of the business. The firm began operation in Hill Street, before moving to the High Street. However, by 1837 the firm was resident in St Andrews Square. In 1862 with the acquisition of the firm Lizars, W & A K Johnston began printing bank notes. By 1879 the business had expanded so much that the premises in St Andrews Square were simply not big enough and the company moved out to their Edina Works off Easter Road.

Papers relating to W. & A. K. Johnston are held by the National Library of Scotland. An electronic listing is available at the Scottish Book Trade Archive Inventory.

The company history One Hundred Years of Map Making is available for consultation at Edinburgh Napier University.

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