Initially conceived by Matthew Butterick as a Bulmer revival, Wessex took on characteristics of Baskerville and Caledonia as design proceeded.

In 1938, W.A. Dwiggins had taken the hard necessities of the non-kerning line-caster italic duplexed onto the same widths as roman, and turned them into design virtues.

Inspired by the surprising beauty of his wide-bodied Caledonia italic, Butterick used it as a model for Wessex.

Among other uses, Wessex is recommended for Magazine, Book and Corporate use.