Allen W. (Allen William) Seaby

Born on May 25, 1867, Allen William Seaby became best known as an ornithological painter, printmaker, and teacher. He studied at the School of Art in Reading under Morley Fletcher and went on to spend much of his career there, later serving as Professor of Fine Art at the University of Reading from 1920 to 1933.

Seaby worked across painting, illustration, woodcut, and wood engraving, with birds and other wildlife among his favorite subjects. Alongside his studio work, he wrote art books for students and also created books for children, often illustrating them himself.

That mix of careful craft and natural history helped give his books a distinctive charm. Whether he was teaching art or telling stories, he had a gift for making the close study of animals feel vivid, warm, and full of character.