William Ged, a Scottish mechanic, the inventor of stereotyping, born in Edinburgh about 1690, died Oct. 19, 1749. He was originally a goldsmith in his native city, and is said to have first attempted stereotyping in 1725. In 1729 he entered into partnership with William Fen-ner, a London stationer, in order to carry his invention into regular practice, Fenner advancing the necessary capital on condition of receiving half the profits. Other partners subsequently joined the firm. In 1731 the company contracted with the university of Cambridge for the printing of Bibles and prayer books by stereotype, and invested a large sum of money in the enterprise; but when only two prayer books were finished the contract had to be surrendered, owing, as Ged alleged, to the malignant mismanagement of the pressmen, who were hostile to the innovation, and the disreputable conduct of some of his associates. In 1733 he returned to Edinburgh, where in 1736 he completed an edition of Sallust, which was not published till 1744, and was inaccurately executed.

Ged died in poverty.