In this graduation thesis, a new method is presented for recognition of handwritten characters. Character recognition is done on the basis of Generalised Fourier Descriptors. The characters are first fitted into straight line sections and arcs of circles, because expressions for the Generalised Fourier descriptors of these basic curves are known. The Generalised Fourier Descriptors are calculated for different Western-style characters. Also different handwritings are involved to compare the effect of difference in writing styles.