Cruikshank (George) Letters, 1847-1878

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Summary

Title:
George Cruikshank letters
Dates:
1847-1878
Creators:
Cruikshank, George, 1792-1878
Abstract:
A collection of letters by George Cruikshank, 19th century British illustrator and author.
Extent:
1.2 Linear Feet (1 box)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], George Cruikshank letters, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection contains seventy-one letters addressed to George Cruikshank or his wife, Eliza Cruikshank. Most of the correspondence is concerned with Cruikshank's participation in the Temperance movement and many are requests for his presence at temperance society meetings. Some letters concern Cruikshank's art as well as his, and Eliza's, personal life. Correspondents include William Henry Merle, Charles Rogers, John Sheringham, H.E. Taylor and John Drayton Wyatt.

Biographical / historical:

George Cruikshank (1792-1878) was an English artist, caricaturist, illustrator, and author. In 1811, Cruikshank gained fame with a series of political caricatures he created for the periodical The Scourge, a monthly expositor of imposture and folly. Cruikshank published political cartoons until 1825 and began illustrating books in 1820. He is thought to have illustrated over 850 books for adults and children, including works by Charles Dickens, William Harrison Ainsworth, William Makepeace Thackeray, and the Grimm brothers. He also published books on his own, most notably The Comic Almanack (from 1835 to 1853). In 1847, he became interested in the temperance movement, an interest that is apparent in much of his later artistic work. On October 16, 1827, he married Mary Ann Walker (1807–1849). Two years after her death, on March 7, 1851, he married Eliza Widdison (1807-1890). He did not have any children from his two marriages, but Cruikshank fathered 11 illegitimate children with a mistress named Adelaide Attree, his former servant, who lived close to where he lived with his wives. He died on February 1, 1878, and is buried in St. Paul's Cathedral, London, England.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from Richard Hatwell, December 1973.
Processing information:

Processed by William Ingoldsby in 1975; in August 2026, Gayle M. Richardson created the finding aid.

Arrangement:

Arranged chronologically.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Gayle M. Richardson
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2026-08-07 13:22:18 -0700 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Terms of access:

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining permission rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], George Cruikshank letters, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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