George Cruikshank
George Cruikshank was born on the 27th of September 1792 in London. His father, Isaac Cruikshank, was an Edinburgh-born caricaturist who led the field during the late 1790s. Young George began his professional life as his father's apprentice and assistant. He followed this path closely alongside his older brother, Isaac Robert, who also became a successful caricaturist and illustrator. The family business provided a foundation for his early artistic development. By 1823, at age 31, he shifted focus from political caricature to book illustration. That year marked the publication of his first major illustrated work, the English translation of Grimms' Fairy Tales titled German Popular Stories. This volume appeared in two parts with text by Edgar Taylor and David Jardine.
Cruikshank achieved early success through social caricatures depicting English life for popular publications. In 1819, he collaborated with William Hone on the political satire known as The Political House That Jack Built. That same year produced the controversial piece called The New Union Club. This print satirized a dinner party organized by abolitionists that included black guests. Frederick Marryat, later Captain Marryat, devised the image in collaboration with him. While praised as one of his finest works during the 19th century, modern critics view it as one of the most racist prints of its era. His hostility toward enemies of Britain often manifested through crude racism in commissioned illustrations. He created lurid depictions accompanying William Maxwell's History of the Irish rebellion in 1798 published in 1845. These images characterized Irish rebels with simian-like features. Other racially engaged works included caricatures about the legal systems of China given to him by Dr. W. Gourley.
Charles Dickens employed Cruikshank to illustrate Sketches by Boz in 1836 and The Mudfog Papers between 1837 and 1838. The artist also provided drawings for Oliver Twist in 1838. He illustrated Memoirs of Joseph Grimaldi edited under Dickens's regular pseudonym Boz. Cruikshank even acted within Dickens's amateur theatrical company. A fierce controversy erupted on the 30th of December 1871 when he published a letter in The Times claiming credit for much of the plot of Oliver Twist. This claim launched a public dispute over authorship that soured their friendship further. Robert Seymour had previously suggested similar ownership claims regarding Pickwick Papers, but Dickens denied specific input in his 1867 preface. The relationship deteriorated significantly after Cruikshank became a fanatical teetotaler while opposing Dickens's views on moderation. Their professional partnership ended amidst this ideological divide.
Formerly a heavy drinker, Cruikshank shifted focus from book illustration to alcohol temperance advocacy in the late 1840s. He now supported, lectured to, and supplied illustrations for the National Temperance Society and the Total Abstinence Society. His best-known works included The Bottle consisting of eight plates published in 1847. Its sequel The Drunkard's Children appeared as another set of eight plates in 1848. An ambitious work called The Worship of Bacchus followed, published by subscription after his oil painting now resides in the Tate Gallery, London. For these efforts, he was made vice president of the National Temperance League in 1856. His personal conversion drove him to supply images promoting abstinence throughout the country.
The invasion scare of 1859 led to the creation of the Volunteer Movement across Britain. Cruikshank organized Rifle Volunteer Corps units among working men who were total abstainers. His first unit became the 24th Surrey RVC named Havelock's Own after Major-General Sir Henry Havelock. This hero of the Indian Mutiny pioneered Temperance Clubs within the army. Disgust arose when the Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey offered little encouragement and rebuked him for recruiting in Kent. He disbanded that unit in 1862 and began anew in Middlesex organizing the 48th Middlesex RVC known as Havelock's Temperance Volunteers. Financial difficulties plagued this new group until age forced his retirement from commanding officer duties. Lt-Col Cuthbert Vickers replaced him as a wealthy shipowner. Reports indicated he resigned due to reinstatement issues involving officers previously cashiered from service.
Cruikshank developed palsy in later life causing his health and work quality to decline steadily. He died on the 1st of February 1878 at age 85. Originally buried in Kensal Green Cemetery, his remains were exhumed and reburied in St. Paul's Cathedral during November 1878. Punch magazine published an obituary claiming there never was a purer or more straightforward man with childlike transparency. His nature seemed simple despite creating nearly 10,000 prints, illustrations, and plates throughout his lifetime. Collections of his works now reside in the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum. A Royal Society of Arts blue plaque commemorates him at 293 Hampstead Road in Camden Town. The institution recognized his contributions long after his death.
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Common questions
When was George Cruikshank born and where did he grow up?
George Cruikshank was born on the 27th of September 1792 in London. He grew up in a family business that provided a foundation for his early artistic development.
What major works did George Cruikshank create during his career shift to book illustration?
In 1823, George Cruikshank published German Popular Stories as his first major illustrated work. Later he created The Bottle consisting of eight plates published in 1847 and its sequel The Drunkard's Children appearing in 1848.
Why did the friendship between George Cruikshank and Charles Dickens end?
The relationship ended after George Cruikshank became a fanatical teetotaler while opposing Charles Dickens views on moderation. A public dispute erupted on the 30th of December 1871 when he claimed credit for much of the plot of Oliver Twist.
How did George Cruikshank contribute to the Volunteer Movement in Britain?
During the invasion scare of 1859, George Cruikshank organized Rifle Volunteer Corps units among working men who were total abstainers. His first unit became the 24th Surrey RVC named Havelock's Own and he later organized the 48th Middlesex RVC known as Havelock's Temperance Volunteers.
When did George Cruikshank die and where is he buried now?
George Cruikshank died on the 1st of February 1878 at age 85. He was originally buried in Kensal Green Cemetery but his remains were exhumed and reburied in St. Paul's Cathedral during November 1878.