Tom Perkins was introduced to drawing Roman capitals in his early teens by his art teacher, kindling an enthusiasm for lettering that led to a training in calligraphy at Reigate School of Art and Design. From 1976 he began letter carving at his studio in London and in 1982 he set up his own workshop at Sutton in Cambridgeshire. Tom has taught lettering and letter carving at the Roehampton Institute until 1997 and at West Dean College. He is a fellow of the Calligraphy and Lettering Arts Society, Temenos Academy, The Royal Society of Arts and the Society of Designer Craftsmen.