In the 11th century a Chinese philosopher and painter by the name of Jo-Aju declared that handwriting infallibly shows vulgarity or noble-mindedness.
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The first book written on the subject of handwriting analysis was published in 1662 by Camillo Baldo. Baldo was an Italian author and professor of medicine and psychology at the University of Bologna in Italy.
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In 99 A.D. Roman historian, Suetonius made a study of Emperor Augustus’ personality from his handwriting. To quote Suetonius, “he does not separate his words, nor carry over to the next line any excess letters. This is the writing of a man whose mind is ruled by his heart.”
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After 30 years of study and work, two French priests, Abbe Flandrin and his student, Abbe Jean-Hippolyte Michon, established some basic rules for determining specific characteristics. They published two books. The first published in 1872 was entitled, “The Mysteries of Handwriting”. The second published later was entitled “A System of Graphology.” They coined the phrase “graphology” which is the art of knowing men by their handwriting.
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Among the many people studying handwriting analysis through the nineteenth century were Walter Scott, Edgar Allen Poe, Robert Browning and his wife, Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote a paper entitled, “Black Words on White Paper Bare the Soul”.
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Swiss psychiatrist, Dr. Max Pulver published his book, “The Symbolism of Handwriting” in 1931. Dr. Pulver was best known for his work in the area of the unconscious drives in man.
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In 1915 M.N. Bunker began his studies in handwriting and formed the American Graphoanalysis Society.
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In 1980, the Library of Congress recognized handwriting analysis as a science and defined three accepted classifications. These three classifications are: Documentary Evidence, Selection of Personnel by Management, and Diagnostic Graphology. (www.loc.gov)