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About
British illustrator and caricaturist known for his initial illustrations for Charles Dickens's The Pickwick Papers. He is also known for contributing illustrations to various publications, including Figaro in London, The Looking Glass, and Bell's Life in London.
Before Fame
He demonstrated artistic talent at a young age, and he aspired to become a professional painter. His painting depicting a scene from Torquato Tasso's Jerusalem Delivered was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1822 when he was 24 years old. He struggled to get himself established as a painter so he pivoted to illustration.
Trivia
He was among the early adopters of steel-plate engraving, a process that allowed for finer detail and greater durability in printed illustrations. He enjoyed depicting sporting subjects and would often illustrate humorous scenes of amateur sportsmen in exaggerated situations.
Family Life
He was born and raised in Somerset, England. His father died when he was a child. He married Jane Holmes in 1827 and the couple had two children together. He died by suicide at his home on April 20th, 1836.
Associated With
He produced several commissioned paintings to accompany the works of William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes, and John Milton.
