Short answers, pulled from the story.
John Gilbert (the 21st of July 1817 - the 5th of October 1897) was a self-taught English artist, illustrator, and engraver born in Blackheath, Surrey. He was best known for producing over two thousand wood-engravings for the Illustrated London News and for his extensive illustrated editions of Shakespeare.
Gilbert earned the nickname "the Walter Scott of painting" because, like the Scottish novelist, poet and historian Walter Scott, he shared a passion for past eras and battle scenes. The comparison reflected his romantic and historical sensibility in both his paintings and illustrations.
John Gilbert produced over two thousand wood-engravings for the Illustrated London News. He also created a large body of illustrations for The London Journal and for illustrated editions of the English poets and Shakespeare.
John Gilbert was knighted in 1872. He became president of the Royal Watercolour Society in 1871 and was elected a full Royal Academician in 1876, the same year as Edward John Poynter.
Gilbert produced 829 illustrations for The Works of William Shakespeare edited by Howard Staunton and published in three volumes in 1866, and over 511 illustrations for a later edition known as The Gilbert Shakespeare. A further edition edited by Charles Knight carried nearly 400 illustrations.
In 1893 John Gilbert presented a collection of his work to the Guildhall Art Gallery in the City of London. He is buried at Brockley and Ladywell Cemeteries.