What does your handwriting say about you

Elvis Presley – American Entertainer (1935-1977)
Famed as much for his image and charismatic, overtly sexual performing style, rock and roll singer Elvis Aron Presley changed the face of the popular culture of his day. Presley grew up an only child after his twin brother, Jesse, died at birth. He started out singing church music in Memphis and recorded his first song in 1954. Two years later he had his first big hit with “Heartbreak Hotel,” and embarked on a recording and acting career that was to span two decades. After more than 100 hit records, 18 of which reached number one, and 33 films, Elvis died of heart failure due to prescription drug abuse.

Elvis Presley’s Handwriting

Elvis Presley’s Personality overview according to the handwriting analysis report

The large capital letters signify pride, but the undeveloped middle zone reflects a poor ego. Despite his success, Presley was not a well-integrated person. The writing is filled with restless’ activity on a disorganized page. However, while the baseline meanders, the tendency is to move upward, showing his sense of excitement and enthusiasm for the subject matter. The fluctuating height of the upper-zone letters indicate Presley’s conflicting feelings about authority figures. He had great respect for authority, but it was tempered by resistance to rules and regulations.

Elvis Presley’s Relationships
The lower zone is malformed and pulls to the left, with hooks, triangles, and a wide variety of forms. Presley was not comfortable in this zone, the area of physical urges. The personal pronoun, /, gives us a clue, with its odd little loop at the top and downstroke that curves to the left. It shows that he put his mother on a pedestal, and this affected his relationships with women. The left-tending lower-zone letters show that although he may have had strong drives, feelings of inadequacy led to dissatisfaction in sexual relationships.

Elvis Presley’s Intellectual forces
Presley’s emphasis on the upper zone, with its extra height, indicates a strong interest in the theoretical and philosophical aspects of life. He probably expended a lot of energy exploring the unknown and seeking out alternative realities.

Elvis Presley’s Physical drives
The lower zone is disproportionately long, showing that Presley was extravagant with his money, spending on impulse. In addition, he needed to be where the action was, and was unable to sit still for any length of time. This combined with his compulsion to engage in adventures—he was excited by the unexpected and this spurred him to try new and different activities.

Elvis Presley’s Motivating forces
Presley was motivated by the need for constant action, as seen in the uncontrolled writing movement and poor rhythm, even if this action did not actually lead anywhere. He thrived on excitement and adventure, without expecting anything more. The wildly variant lower zone also indicates a risk taker who would try just about anything at least once.

Source: Handwriting of the Famous and Infamous by Sheila Lowe

Edgar Allan Poe – American Author, Poet (1809-1849)
Edgar Allan Poe was born in Boston to parents who were traveling stage actors. Orphaned at two, he was sent to live with the Allans, who gave him his middle name but never adopted him. Poe wrote his first known poem, which was never published, in 1824, and went on to eventually become the “Master of the Macabre.” His tale The Murders in the Rue Morgue is considered the first modern detective story. In 1845 his best known poem, “The Raven,” brought him fame but not fortune. After years of alcohol abuse, Poe died in Baltimore aged only 40.

Edgar Allan Poe’s Handwriting

Edgar Allan Poe’s Personality overview according to the handwriting analysis report
The nature of the sample, a poem, probably makes the writing more formal than Poe’s normal style. The handwriting is well organized and shows good symmetry in’^the various aspects of space, form, and movement. There is greater regularity here than in other samples of his writing, and also more linear strokes, indicating unreleased tension. It is known that Poe was a heavy drinker, and he may have needed the release that the alcohol provided. Whatever other effects his drinking had, he generally remained functional. The fairly good spatial arrangement shows that he had enough control to plan his life and time so as to be able to accomplish what needed to be done.

Edgar Allan Poe’s Relationships
Poe’s writing is of medium size, with good proportions between the zones. This indicates the more or less conventional outlook of a person who is most comfortable following the standard rules of his social group. The space between the lines is close, but the loops do not interfere with each other. This shows that he allowed others to get close to him and was able to work cooperatively in a group setting.

Edgar Allan Poe’s Intellectual forces
One of the signs of a strong intellect is the sharply pointed letters in the middle zone and a well-developed upper zone. This is a person who would not simply accept what he was told, but had to examine the facts for himself. Poe’s handwriting shows intellectual curiosity. Since the upper-zone letters return to the baseline with great regularity, we can assume that he was able to take the information he uncovered and put it to practical use.

Edgar Allan Poe’s Physical drives
The lower zone is long, but not disproportionately so. Poe had strong physical drives that he was evidently able to satisfy in standard ways, as seen in the balanced lower zone letters. Some lower zone upstrokes do not return to the baseline, which suggests that perhaps the trauma of losing his parents at such a young age left a mark that never healed.

Edgar Allan Poe’s Motivating forces
Poe was motivated by his desire to achieve. The many angles, combined with strong regularity and the large capitals in the initials that replace his signature, indicate pride in his achievements and a genuine personality.

Source: Handwriting of the Famous and Infamous by Sheila Lowe

Marilyn Monroe – Actress (1926-1962)
Norma jean Baker was raised in a series of foster homes. She later became a photographer’s model, which led to a small part in her first movie in 1948. She changed her name and from there her popularity steadily increased until she began to win starring roles in films such as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) and The Seven Year Itch (1955). Adored around the world, Monroe married and divorced baseball legend, Joe DiMaggio, in less than a year. She made her final film, The Misfits, which was written by another ex-husband, Arthur Miller, a year before her death from an overdose of sleeping pills.

Marilyn Monroe’s Handwriting

Marilyn Monroe’s Personality overview according to the handwriting analysis report
Apparently, this handwriting sample was written while Monroe was a psychiatric inpatient and this would affect her writing according to her emotional state at that time. Despite her obvious anxiety and frustration, the writing is fairly well organized, with a fair spatial arrangement on the page. The most disturbed area is the muddy pressure, which probably indicates some impairment in her moral judgment. From this it can be deduced that substance abuse would have been a likely outlet for her when the stress and pressure became too much. This sample is poignantly reminiscent of another icon who faced similar pressures and challenges during his lifetime, Elvis Presley.

Marilyn Monroe’s Relationships
At the time of writing, Monroe was clearly trying to live up to an impossible image. This is evidenced by the large capital letters and personal pronoun, /, which both reveal an idealized sense of self that has subordinated the “real” self. The otherwise retraced upper zone also sometimes balloons into wide loops, an indicator of the sensitivity she tried to keep hidden from the world but which still pushed its way out.

Marilyn Monroe’s Intellectual forces
The writing is basically copybook style, so, underneath the glamour, Monroe was quite a conventional person. She felt most comfortable operating within familiar parameters, where she knew exactly what was expected of her. She would probably not have been particularly adventurous or creative.

Marilyn Monroe’s Physical drives
Monroe’s physical orientation can be seen in the thick, heavy strokes and in the long lower loops. She clearly had strong drives and needed to be physically active, while at the same time had the stamina and ability to endure hardships. While her natural preference was probably to jump in and get started with any particular activity, the tall upper zone suggests that she was also able to plan ahead when necessary.

Marilyn Monroe’s Motivating forces
The overblown capital letters suggest an intense striving for achievement and recognition. Because the form of the writing is disturbed, we can conjecture that this striving was overcompensation for an ego that had been damaged early in life.

Source: Handwriting of the Famous and Infamous by Sheila Lowe

John Hancock – Revolutionary Leader (1737-1793)
John Hancock was born in Massachusetts. He graduated from Harvard and went to work for a wealthy uncle. Active in the politics of his day, he served as a selectman and member of the Massachusetts General Court, and, later, as president of the Continental Congress. His birthday is celebrated as National Handwriting Day, thanks to his bold signature on the Declaration of Independence, which he is said to have deliberately made that way so King George could read it without his spectacles. Hancock was elected governor of Massachusetts in 1780.

John Hancock’s Handwriting

John Hancock’s Personality overview according to the handwriting analysis report
The emphasis is on form, or the way the writing looks. As he intended it to, Hancock’s signature stands out with its large capitals, overall large,size, and ornate paraph (the flourish at the end of a signature) underneath. In addition, the handwriting in the text is elaborate, with unnecessary details added to the basic script. For instance, the final d in many words turns back to the left in a large loop and arcs back over the word. A form-conscious handwriting is adopted by one who likes to draw attention to him- or herself and make a big impression. Whether there is substance to back up the first impression is entirely another question.

John Hancock’s Relationships
Another aspect of form consciousness is that the writer maintains a facade and is afraid to let anyone see what is underneath. Consequently, although he was a people-oriented person, Hancock’s basic attitude was one of reserve and conservatism. He tended to bottle up his feelings and kept them to himself. He could not allow himself to be spontaneous, lest some undesirable part of himself accidentally be seen. This characteristic is evident in the arcade letter forms and slow writing speed.

John Hancock’s Intellectual forces
The showiness of the writing, especially the final strokes that go into the upper zone where they do not belong, suggests someone who was in love with his own rhetoric. Hancock had a flair for the dramatic and when he had something to say, it was never simple but an epic story. His thinking style was systematic and left no room for intuition, which he ignored in favor of logic.

John Hancock’s Physical drives
The lower zone is extremely long and thin and this is in conflict with the overall slow, picturesque style of the rest of the writing sample. Hancock felt restless and needed to be doing something physical all the time. It is difficult for this type of writer to relax and he was no doubt irritated by inactivity.

John Hancock’s Motivating forces
The arcade style of writing and steady return to the baseline indicate that for Hancock a major motivating factor was his need for security. The baseline represents the ground on which one stands, so for him it was important to feel that his feet were planted firmly on the ground and his material needs were properly cared for.

Source: Handwriting of the Famous and Infamous by Sheila Lowe

Charles Darwin – English Naturalist (1809-1882)
Charles Darwin studied classics, medicine, and theology, but it was not until he took a position as a naturalist on the HMS Beagle in 1831 that he found his true calling. During the voyage, Darwin became certain of the gradual evolution of species. After more than 20 years refining his ideas, and by this time battling ill health, he published the controversial On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, in 1859. This was followed by several other volumes. Darwin was not the first naturalist to propose the idea of evolution, but is probably its best known proponent.

Charles Darwin’s Handwriting

Charles Darwin’s Personality overview according to the handwriting analysis report
Darwin’s handwriting has the light, airy quality often associated with the scripts of philosophers and other intellectual types. Light pressure and large intervals between words and lines create islands of space that serve to isolate him on a social level, but simultaneously give him room to think. Darwin was clearly a * loner who required a great deal of time and space on his own in which to develop the ideas that proliferated in his cerebral upper zone.

Charles Darwin’s Relationships
Considering the wide spatial arrangement and small middle zone of the writing sample, anyone in a relationship with Darwin would have had to be highly independent and happy to amuse themselves. He could be seen as an absent-minded professor type, with little patience for the niceties of polite conversation. He was probably the type of person who is most comfortable working for long periods of time alone in his study and who often forgets to come down for dinner. It is likely that Darwin was insensitive to the emotional needs of the people around him, not because he did not care, but simply because he was too wrapped up in his own ideas to be aware of them.

Charles Darwin’s Intellectual forces
Again, the wide spaces, coupled with the highly simplified forms, point to intelligence and the ability to simplify matters to their basic components. Many of the long f-crosses are placed at the tops of the stems, indicating idealism and high ideas, but because they stay in contact with the stem, Darwin’s ideas stayed within the realm of reality. The poor legibility suggests that he was so involved in complicated thoughts he might assume he had spoken an idea aloud, even when it was just in his head.

Charles Darwin’s Physical drives
Darwin lived life chiefly on an intellectual level. He might have had greater physical energy earlier in life, but at the time of writing (1871) his energy was directed into the mental plane, as evidenced in the upper-zone emphasis (long, high r-bars) and the strong simplification of form.

Charles Darwin’s Motivating forces
Forward-thinking, continually striving to improve his ideas and methods and make them more efficient, Darwin’s stunted lower zone shows that he had little use for the material world. Instead he was motivated by the possibilities inherent in any situation.

Source: Handwriting of the Famous and Infamous by Sheila Lowe

Marie Curie – Polish-born French Scientist (1867-1934)
Born Marie Sklodowska, Marie Curie is famous for investigating radioactivity and for twice winning the Nobel prize, once (for physics with Henri Becquerel and her husband, Pierre Curie, in 1903, and then .25 the sole winner of the prize for chemistry in 1911. Both physical chemists, the Curies worked together to discover two new elements, polonium and radium, and had two daughters before Pierre’s sudden death in 1906. Marie Curie continued their work, became the first woman to teach at the Sorbonne in Paris, and went on to develop the use of X-radiography. Curie eventually died of leukemia, the result of exposure to radiation.

Marie Curie’s Handwriting

Marie Curie’s Personality overview according to the handwriting analysis report
Curie’s handwriting has a beautifully balanced flow and rhythm—there is neither too much emphasis on contraction nor too much on release. This indicates that she could express her feelings in appropriate ways and at the right time. The slight emphasis on the arcade form in this broad spatial arrangement tells us she was a private, conservative person who respected history and tradition, even while she may have challenged it.

Marie Curie’s Relationships
There is a good distribution of garland forms among the arcades, which is a sign of receptiveness. The rightward slant blends with a moderately strong degree of connectedness to reveal someone who cared about others, even though she might not have always been able to show it. That she was not very demonstrative is evidenced in the wide word spacing and long end strokes. The end strokes are sometimes used to fill up the ends of lines, signifying a degree of distrust in others.

Marie Curie’s Intellectual forces
The excellent arrangement of space, with balanced margins and line spacing, is the hallmark of one who knew how to create a reasonable framework within
which to operate. The writing has the quick tempo and smooth rhythm of one who could move rapidly from one problem to the next, using her intuition and resourcefulness, as seen in the original, simplified letter forms.

Marie Curie’s Physical drives
The overall writing rhythm is elastic, and the lower zone is well-formed in length and width, demonstrating an enthusiasm for life, an ability to roll with the punches and bounce back without undue stress. Add the long, well-pressured f-crosses, and Curie could handle a long day of work and still be ready for more. The hooks on the beginnings and endings of some words suggest one who could be quite persistent in the pursuit of her goals.

Marie Curie’s Motivating forces
The need to produce is evident in this vital, animated script. With the large capital letters, especially on her name, Curie was not averse to being acknowledged for her contributions. However, she signs only “M,” rather than her full name, so it is doubtful whether recognition was the motivating factor behind her efforts. Rather, she was proud of who she was and what that meant.

Source: Handwriting of the Famous and Infamous by Sheila Lowe

Thomas Alva Edison –  American Inventor (1847-1931)

He was born in Milan, Ohio, the youngest of seven children. He was a poor student at school partly due to an undiagnosed hearing problem, yet, as an adult, he became the foremost inventor of his day. Edison was only 10 years old when he set up his first laboratory in his father’s basement. After working as a telegrapher, Edison moved to New York in 1869 to concentrate on inventing. He went on to patent more than 1,000 inventions and is credited with inventing the electric lightbulb, the phonograph, the Edison storage battery, the electric pen, the mimeograph, and the first motion picture projector.

Thomas Alva Edison’s Handwriting

Thomas Alva Edison’s Personality overview according to the handwriting analysis report

Edison’s handwriting combines strength and flexibility. The chief connective form is the garland, an adaptable, open form that illustrates one who is receptive and willing to listen. He had the capacity to make quick changes of direction and to try new methods when old ones were no longer working. On the other hand, the long, strong f-crosses are made by someone who had no difficulty giving orders, and the upright slant provides additional strength to the garlands.

Thomas Alva Edison’s Relationships
Some words have many breaks between letters, while others have a greater degree of connection. In some cases one word even connects to another, an indication of fluid thinking. Socially, though, Edison could not be counted on for consistency. He had a great deal of charm, but if an idea came into his head, he would abruptly turn on his heel and be gone.

Thomas Alva Edison’s Intellectual forces
Edison’s neat, well-organized handwriting reflects an organized mind. The spaces between words, letters, and lines are clear, which is a sign of an ability to see the big picture but also to
keep all the constituent parts in their proper perspective. There is a moderate amount of simplification in the writing, so he was able to go to the heart of the matter without the need for a lot of extraneous details. Edison also left room for intuition, which could burst through the smooth breaks at the baseline and blossom in the middle zone.

Thomas Alva Edison’s Physical drives
There is energy in the smooth, rapid movement. The narrow margins suggest one who filled his time with plenty of activity. The flat tops on the letter r are a sign of one who worked well with tools. The lower zone is mixed in length and width, and some downstrokes tend to thin out, so it would have been important for Edison to get enough rest, or his stamina might have given out.

Thomas Alva Edison’s Motivating forces
Motivated by creativity, Edison’s handwriting has original, simplified forms, as well as what are called cultural letters. These are the Greek e and the lyrical d, which is also a Greek form of the letter. Greek letters are often used by writers and poets, and others who have a propensity for original thinking.

Source: Handwriting of the Famous and Infamous by Sheila Lowe

Charles Dickens – British Author (1812-1870)
Emotionally scarred as a child when forced into a workhouse after his father was sent to debtor’s prison, Charles Dickens later used that awful experience in some of his most famous literary works, including David Copperfield (1850) and Great Expectations (1861). He began his writing career as a freelance reporter in 1829 and went on to write the Pickwick Papers (1837), which made him famous. Editor, journalist, and novelist, he produced an impressive body of work including numerous classics. Against doctor’s orders, Dickens continued to travel and do public readings until his death.

Charles Dickens Handwriting

Charles Dickens Personality overview according to the handwriting analysis report
Dickens’ handwriting has a wonderful, flowing rhythm within a speedy script, which indicates a mature integration of the various aspects of his life experiences. He was a man of grace and style, as well as sensitivity, as seen in the moderate variations of middle-zone size and in the well-developed upper zone. The literary d also appears in his script, a sign of a natural writer.

Charles Dickens Relationships
The moderate right slant reveals emotional response, but also emotional control. Add to that the wide spaces between words and the de-emphasized lower zone, yet strong degree of connectedness between letters, and we see a conflict. Dickens was someone who needed to feel connected with others, but who could not tolerate too much closeness. He would be an amusing companion so long as he was given space. Otherwise he would likely do something to create emotional distance, such as starting an argument, as seen in the downward-slanting f-crosses.

Charles Dickens Intellectual forces
The tall upper zone and creative connections into this zone indicate Dickens’ strong interest in mental
activity. He had a keen mind and could move rapidly from one idea to another. Using a combination of logic, as seen in the ability to connect several letters together, and intuition, found in the open, clear arrangement, he was able to lucidly express the many ideas that filled his head.

Charles Dickens Physical drives
The harmonious writing movement— with well-proportioned zones, strong left-to-right movement, and firm pressure—indicates good stamina and vitality. While the emphasis is on the intellect rather than the physical, material world, the warm, colorful ductus (writing line) suggests a sensuous individual with a deep capacity for romance and intimacy.

Charles Dickens Motivating forces
Dickens’ signature is large and illegible, a far cry from the text of the sample. This demonstrates a very different public character compared to his private persona, which is far more modest. The man he showed to the world was ultimately self-confident and proud. The simplicity of the text, however, tells us that, inside, he was comfortable with who he was and was more concerned with altruistic pursuits than self-aggrandizement.

Source: Handwriting of the Famous and Infamous by Sheila Lowe

Diana Princess of Wales (1961-1997)
Diana Spencer was born into the English aristocracy. She grew up to become a nursery school teacher, and in 1981 married Prince Charles. The older of her two sons, William, will eventually become king of England. As Princess of Wales, Diana found herself in largely unwanted, often intrusive limelight, but also in a position where she could support charities helping the homeless, drug addicts, poor children, and AIDS victims. Her marriage, never the fairytale of popular myth, came to an end in 1992 when she and Prince Charles separated. Diana was killed in a car crash in Paris on August 31, 1997.

Diana’s Handwriting

Diana’s Personality overview according to the handwriting analysis report
Diana’s handwriting is large and round, with an openness that suggests someone who was always ready for something new and different. While generally friendly, the variable spacing between the words indicates that she was not always consistent socially and could sometimes withdraw unexpectedly. Her emotional nature is seen in the loose rhythm, so she was quick to express how she felt and would laugh or cry quite readily. However, the upright slant, which is taught in British school models, provides some control over her emotions. She was able to wait for the appropriate time, so long as an emotion was not too strong.

Diana’s Relationships
The soft, released rhythm in rounded handwriting reflects a profound need to be loved, as well as to love. If a person withdrew their affection, it was probably devastating for Diana. The nonexistent upper zone suggests the lack of a close relationship with her father in childhood, resulting in a continual search for father-replacements later in life. The curved initial strokes also indicate that she looked to old friends for help and support when it was needed.

Diana’s Intellectual forces
Diana was a concrete thinker who learned best by relating new concepts to what she already knew. The emphasis on the middle zone at the expense of the upper zone reveals a greater interest in people and things than in ideas. Philosophical discussion would probably have bored her, but when the topic turned to more practical applications her interest could be aroused.

Diana’s Physical drives
The lower zone is moderately long but open, which speaks of strong physical drives not entirely satisfied. Her private hopes and dreams were left unfulfilled. The round style is called an oral writing, and is often seen in the writing of women with eating disorders.

Diana’s Motivating forces
Diana was motivated by a need to serve those she loved. Although the large overall size indicates someone who could also be quite demanding when it came to getting her own needs met, it was easier for her to give of herself than to ask for what she wanted. Her signature is congruent with the text of the writing, telling us that she did not try to hide her real self.

Source: Handwriting of the Famous and Infamous by Sheila Lowe