SWA members were saddened to hear of the recent passing of influential English woodworking writer and teacher, David Charlesworth. David died on May 22, 2022, after a long illness.

Charlesworth was known worldwide for his highly detailed books and multiple long-form videos on furniture and sharpening techniques. Long before Youtube and Instagram, Charlesworth was a woodworking influencer.

Charlesworth studied furniture making under the founding member of the Devon Guild of Craftsmen, Edward Baly. Although David worked as a craftsman from the early 1970’s, he increasing turned his attention to writing and teaching. Charlesworth was a frequent contributor to Furniture & Cabinet Making magazine in the UK, and many of his best articles were compiled into his first book, “David Charlesworth’s Furniture-Making Techniques” (1999, Guild of Master Craftsman).

David was a giant and the craft. We are fortunate that his vast knowledge lives on in his books and videos.