Businessman. He received world-wide acclaim for founding the Chiswick Press, and being the first to produce inexpensive books, similar to today's paperback books. His process made books available to a large audience of readers. In an era when paper was being made by hand, he employed steam engines in 1809 to produce the pulp for his paper and starting a paper mill. Producing his own paper gave him a steady supply of good quality paper for his inexpensive books. Leaving his father's farm, he had an apprenticeship in printing at Coventry. He received a small loan from another printer to start a printing business in 1789, which was very successful. Starting a new marketing strategy, he printed books of poetry with beautiful ornamental covers and sold them directly to the public, thus bypassing the middle man. He also printed the book of “Psalms” from the Bible, the Common Book of Prayer, and several other small books. Moving from the original site of his printing business in 1811, he started Chiswick Press, which was located west of London and closer to his paper mill. His company was in close proximity to the Thames River, which made transporting the books easier. Although he used steam engines to make paper, he preferred printing to be done by hand. Soon after the relocation, he was contracted by prominent publishers for printing larger, finer books. This followed with the task of him including illustrations in some of his books, while still making the book affordable, and with this accomplishment, his business became more successful. He was the first printer to develop overlaying of wood engraving for book illustrations using rich-colored inks. In 1824, his nephew, Charles Whittingham II, became his partner. In 1828, his nephew opened his own printing company in London. Upon his death 1840, his nephew took management of Chiswick Press, which stayed in business until 1962 even though not owned by the Whittingham family. Many of his earliest books are now collector's items such as “Proofs of the Illustrations to Shakespeare's Dramatic Works” printed in 1828, which sold for $2,000. The trademark of the company was a loin leaning on an anchor. Many of his personal papers have been archived at the New York City Public Library. He married Mary Meade and the couple had no heirs. His portrait was painted by Thomas Williams and was on view at Stationer's Hall in London.