George Cruikshank

Born in London in 1792, George Cruikshank became one of the best-known British illustrators and cartoonists of the 19th century. He first made his name with bold political caricatures, often aimed at public figures and current events, and later became famous for book illustration.

His work appeared in a remarkable range of publications, but many readers know him best for illustrating books such as Grimm's Fairy Tales and Oliver Twist. His drawings could be comic, grotesque, energetic, and richly detailed all at once, and they helped shape the visual world of Victorian popular culture.

Later in life, he became a strong supporter of the temperance movement and used his art to argue against the dangers of drinking. He died in 1878, leaving behind a huge body of work that still stands out for its wit, invention, and sharp social observation.