Anthony was born in the 1920s to Norwegian father and English mother in London, when he was young he studied arts and crafts, wood graving and book making.

He became a Freelance graphic designer and typographer in 1939 after leaving the Central school of art and design.

He worked in education firstly at the Central school of Art and Design in 1948, then in 1957 moving on to teach at the 'Hochschule fur Gestaltung Ulm' or 'Ulm school of Design'. He taught at the royal college of art in London; starting his tenor in 1961. He would continue to teach all over the country till returning eventually in his twilight years to Central school till 1982, passing away 2 years later.

In regards to teaching and how his teaching may've varied from contemporaries, he preferred discussion over talking at students, preferred experimental and interesting situations then linear, formal lectures and learning structures: things to encourage creativity.

He's believed by many to be one of the greatest champions of modern typography. which was a sort of cultural revolt against stagnating and decadent ideas in the field of typography.

what separates modern typography from previous movements in typography is the command from the typographer over the viewer's eyes to create meaning or simply to convey information more seamlessly.

Beatrice ward a contemporary of Anthony commented on modern typography, remarking that Modern typography was about asking "what must it do?" in regard to lettering and it's purpose as opposed to simply asking "how should it look like". The deeper philosophy and thought behind modern typography has made it in my opinion a more powerful art form, either in a purely efficient utilitarian form to make reading more clear, fast and impactful. Or using type to even put across more subtle ideas or moods.