The slideshow image for George Cruikshank is a caricature by George Cruikshank titled "Snuffing out Boney!" was published on May 1, 1814, available from Wikimedia Commons.

Selected articles, galleries and books featuring the work of George Cruikshank

Cartoon titled "Indigestion"
by George Cruikshank published in 1825. Available via the Library of Congress. — Cartoon titled "Indigestion" by George Cruikshank published in 1825. Available via the Library of Congress.

This short biography of is adapted from George Cruikshank: the artist, the humourist, and the man: by William Bates, Wikipedia and other sources.

George Cruikshank was born on September 27, 1792 in London. Cruikshank's father, Isaac, was a caricature artist and exposed his sons, Isaac Robert and George, to drawing, painting and engraving. Young George received his first commission at age twelve. Cruikshank had little formal training thus his skills were not those of a fine artist. Rather his depiction of the human form was simplistic, yet he became a master caricature artist. He captured the individual personality of his subjects and maintained that character as he placed his subjects in the action of a scene. His work was usually intended to be comic and make people laugh.

One of Cruikshank's first political cartoons depicted the Old Price Riots of 1809. Isaac Cruikshank the elder died in 1811. This forced George to practice the craft of caricature and engraving as a means of survival. He took any work he could find including illustrations for sheet music, chapbooks, and nursery rhymes. The caricature artist sold prints of his work in inexpensive forms typical to the times that even children could afford. For a time he painted backdrops for the Drury Lane Theatre and considered becoming an actor.

In the depiction of low, vicious, and vulgar life - in the ludicrous, the quaint, the weird, the pathetic, and, - the terrible he is unsurpassed. No one has touched with a nicer humour the manners of his day, and the frivolities and affectations of fashionable life; no one so felicitously illustrated the mysteries of folk-lore and popular superstition. Like Hogarth, he possessed a supreme faculty of graphic narration, and an unerring tact in the seizure of dramatic incident. - Page 3 from George Cruikshank: the artist, the humourist, and the man... By William Bates 1879

George Cruikshank worked as a caricature artist and painter for over 75 years. The artist produced cartoons depicting politics and social life in Britain, illustrations for fiction and many oil paintings. He received much national attention following publication of an article about him in the the Westminster Review in 1840. Cruikshank was a friend of Charles Dickens and illustrated three of his works. In 1863 the artist held an exhibition at Exeter Hall featuring the work product of sixty years from 1799 to 1863. The exhibit included “upwards of one hundred oil-paintings, water-colour drawings, and original sketches, together with over a thousand proof etchings from popular works, caricatures scrap-books, song-headings &c., and the “Worship of Bacchus.” A search of the British Museum collection database for “George Cruikshank” in quotes yields over 7274 records. Bates names “Coriolanus addressing the Plebeians,” published in 1820, as one of Cruikshank's early important works of political caricature. Much of his work will be represented in the links below.

George Cruikshank's work suffered as he aged due to health problems and the development of a palsy. He died at age 85. It was revealed after his death that he had another family with a mistress named Adelaide Attree. Miss Attree went by the name "Mrs. Archibold" and lived near to the Cruikshank's. Cruikshank fathered eleven children with Adelaide.

Articles and Galleries about George Cruikshank and his work

Books about the life and work of George Cruikshank available on Google Books

1914 - A Bibliographical Catalogue Of The Printed Works: Illustrated By George Cruikshank By Albert Mj.Cohn B.A. (Oxon) Published in London by Longmans, Green And Co.

1905 - Old Coloured Books By George Paston: With Sixteen Coloured Plates. Printed in London by Methuen & Co.

1904 - German Popular Stories. Translated from the Kinder und Haus Marchen. Collected By M. M. Grimm (From Oral Tradition) Published in London by C. Baldwyn in 1823. Re-issued by Henry Frowde 1904.

1903 - The Works Of George Cruikshank Classified and Arranged With References To Reid's Catalogue And Their Approximate Values. By Captn. R. J. H. Douglas with a frontispiece (a facsimile of the frontispiece to the rare Holiday Grammar) Printed in London by Messrs. H. Sotheran & Co.

1897 - George Cruikshank's Portraits of Himself: By George Somes Layard. With more than Forty Illustration (by George Cruikshank). Published in London by W. T. Spencer.

1891 - A Memoir George Cruikshank: Bv Frederic G. Stephens And An Essay On The Genius Of George Cruikshank By William Makepeace Thackeray. Published in London Sampson Low, Marston, Searle, & Rivington. (Limited)

1890 - The Works Of George Cruikshank In Oil, Water Colors, Original Drawings, Etchings, Woodcuts, Lithographs, And Glyphographs. Collected By John B. Gough, with a fac-simile of the catalogue and twenty eight original drawings reproduced by photogravure. Published in Boston by the Club of Odd Volumes.

1884 - An Essay On The Genius Of George Cruikshank By William Makepeace Thackeray. Reprinted Verbatim From “The Westminster Review.” Edited with a prefatory note on Thackeray as an artist and art-critic by W. E. Church, Secretary of The Urban Club. With upwards of forty illustrations including all the original woodcuts and a new portrait of Cruikshank etched by F. W. Tailthorpe. Published in London by George Redway.

1883 - The Life of George Cruikshank: In Two Epochs By Blanchard Jerrold. A new edition with eighty-four illustrations. Published in London by Chatto and Windus.

1879 - George Cruikshank: The Artist, The Humorist, And The Man, With Some Account Of His Brother Robert. A Critico-Biographical Essay. By William Bates B.A., M.R.C.S.E., Etc., Professor of Classics in Queen's College Birmingham; Surgeon to the Borough Hospital, etc. With numerous illustrations by G. Cruikshank including several from original drawings in the possession of the author. Second edition, revised and augmented by a copiously annotated bibliographical appendix, and additional plates on India paper. Published in London by Houlston and Sons and Birmingham by Houghton and Hammond.

1878 - George Cruikshank's Table-Book. Edited By Gilbert Abbott À Beckett. Illustrated with twelve steel plates and one hundred and sixteen engravings on wood by George Cruikshank. New Edition. Published in London by George Bell & Sons.

1878 - A Memoir George Cruikshank, Artist And Humourist With Numerous Illustrations, And A £1 Bank Note. By Walter Hamilton F.R.G.S. Published in London by Elliot Stock.

1877 - Waverley Novels: The Antiquary; By Sir Walter Scott, Bart. with Steel plates from designs by George Cruikshank and other artists. New edition, with the author's notes. Published in London and New York by George Routledge & Sons.

1877 - Waverley Novels: Old Mortality; By Sir Walter Scott, Bart. with Steel plates from designs by George Cruikshank and other artists. New edition, with the author's notes. Published in London and New York by George Routledge & Sons.

1877 - Waverley Novels: Ivanhoe A Romance; By Sir Walter Scott, Bart. with Steel plates from designs by George Cruikshank and other artists. New edition, with the author's notes. Published in London and New York by George Routledge & Sons.

1876 - Woodstock: Or, The Cavalier; By Sir Walter Scott, Bart. with Steel plates from designs by George Cruikshank and other artists. New edition, with the author's notes. Published in London and New York by George Routledge & Sons.

1876 - Waverley Novels: Anne of Geierstein or The Maiden of the Mist; By Sir Walter Scott, Bart. with Steel plates from designs by George Cruikshank and other artists. New edition, with the author's notes. Published in London and New York by George Routledge & Sons.

1876 - Waverley Novels: Redgauntlet A Tale of the Eighteenth Century; By Sir Walter Scott, Bart. with Steel plates from designs by George Cruikshank and other artists. New edition, with the author's notes. Published in London and New York by George Routledge & Sons.

1875 - Waverley Novels: Quentin Durward; By Sir Walter Scott, Bart. with Steel plates from designs by George Cruikshank and other artists. New edition, with the author's notes. Published in London and New York by George Routledge & Sons.

1874 - Works Of Charles Dickens. Riverside Edition. Fully Illustrated From Designs By Barley, Gilbert, Cruikshank, Phiz, etc. Oliver Twist. Two volumes in one. Published in New York by Hurd And Houghton.

1870 - Punch And Judy, With Twenty Four Illustrations. Designed And Engraved By George Cruikshank. And other plates, accompanied by the dialogue of the puppet-show, an account of its origin, and of puppet plays in England. Fifth Edition. Published in London by Bell & Daldy.

1870 - George Cruikshank's Fairy Library: Hop-O'-My-Thumb, Jack and the Bean Stalk, Cinderella, and Puss in Boots. Published in London by Bell and Daldy.

1865 - Popular Romances Of The West Of England, Or The Trolls Traditions, and Superstitions of Old Cornwall. Collected And Edited By Robert Hunt, F.R.S. Second Series. Published in London by John Camden Hotten. (Illustrated by George Cruikshank.)

1859 - Old Faces in New Masks By Robert Blakey Ph D. Illustrated by George Cruikshank. Published in London by W. Kent & Co.

1859 - The Choicest Humorous Poetry Of The Age. The Biglow Papers, By James Russell Lowell. Alluded To By John Bright In The House Of Commons. With Additional Notes, An Enlarged Glossary, And An Illustration By George Cruikshank. Published in London by John Camden Hotten.

1859 - Memoirs of Vidocq, The Principal Agent of the French Police. Written by Himself (Eugène François Vidocq), and translated from the original French, expressly for this edition. With Illustrative Engravings from Original Designs by (George) Cruikshank. Published in Philadelphia: T. B. Peterson and Brothers.

1858 - The Life of Sir John Falstaff. Illustrated By George Cruikshank. With a biography of the knight from authentic sources by Robert B. Brough. Published in by Longman, Brown, Green, Longmans, and Roberts.

1857 - The Life And Enterprises Of Robert William Ellistoni, Comedian. By Geoege Eatmond Author Of "Drafts For Acceptance," Etc. Etc. Illustrated by George Cruikshank and "Phiz." Published in London by G. Routledge & Co.

1857 - A Slice Of Bread And Butter, cut by G. Cruikshank. Being the substance of a speech delivered a a public meeting, held for the benefit of the Jews and general literary and mechanics institution. Published in London by William Tweedie.

1856 - Lady Arabella: Or The Adventures of a Doll. By Miss Pardoe, Author Of "The City Of The Sultan," Etc. Illustrated By George Cruikshank. Published in London by Keeby And Son.

1855 - My Brother, Or The Man Of Many Friends. By An Old Author. (Illustrations by George Cruikshank) Published in London by Sampson Low & Son.

1853 - The Life and Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner. With an Account Of His Travels Round Three Parts Of The Globe. By Daniel Defoe. With Numerous Engravings From Drawings by George Cruikshank. Published in London by David Bogue.

1852 - The Horse Shoe, The True Legend Of St. Dunstan And The Devil; Showing How The Horse-Shoe Came To Be A Charm Against Witchcraft. By Edward G. Flight. With Illustrations Drawn By George Cruikshank, And Engraved By John Thompson. Second Edition. Published in London by D. Bogue.

1852 - The Glass and the New Crystal Palace: By George Cruikshank. Printed in London by J. Cassell.

1852 - The Works of Henry Fielding, Complete in One Volume, With a Memoir of the Author. By Thomas Roscoe. New Edition, Illustrated by George Cruikshank. Published in London by Henry G. Bohn.

1852 - The Ingoldsby Legends, or, Mirth and Marvels: By Thomas Ingoldsby Esquire. Third series. Fifth Edition. Published in London by Richard Bentley. (Illustrated by George Cruikshank and John Leech)

1851 - "Guess If You Can!" A Collection of Original Enigmas and Charades, in Verse. Together with Fifty in the French Language. By A Lady. Illustrated by George Cruikshank. Published in London by David Bogue.

1851 - 1851: Or, The Adventures Of Mr. and Mrs. Sandboys and Family, Who Came Up To London To "Enjoy Themselves," And To SEE The Great Exhibition. By Henry Mayhew and George Cruikshank. Published in London by David Bogue.

1847 - The Greatest Plague Of Life: Or, The Adventures Of A Lady In Search Of A Good Servant. By One Who Has Been "Almost Worried To Death." Edited By The Brothers Mayhew (Augusta Mayhew & Henry Mayhew). Illustrated by George Cruikshank. Published in London by David Bogue.

1847 - The Good Genius That Turned Everything Into Gold Or The Queen Bee And The Magic Dress. A Christmas Fairy Tale By The Brothers Mayhew (Augustus Mayhew and Henry Mayhew) With Illustrations By George Cruikshank. Published in London by David Bogue.

1845 - The Bachelors Own Book. Being twenty four passages in the life of Mr. Lambkin, (Gent.) By George Cruikshank. Published in Philadelphia by Carey and Hart.

1845 - Arthur O'Leary: His Wanderings And Ponderings In Many Lands. Edited By His Friend Harry Lorrequer. Illustrated By George Cruikshank. New Edition. Published in London by Henry Colburn.

1844 - Ainsworth's Magazine: A Miscellany Of Romance, General Literature, & Art. Edited By William Harrison Ainsworth. Illustrated By George Cruikshank. Vol. V. Published in London by John Mortimer.

1844 - John Manesty, The Liverpool Merchant. By The Late William Maginn L.L.D. with illustrations By George Cruikshank. In Two Volumes. Vol I. Published in London by John Mortimer.

1843 - The Miser's Daughter: A Tale By William Harrison Ainsworth, Author Of "The Tower Of London," "Old Saint Paul's," etc. With Illustrations by George Cruikshank. In Three Volumes. Vol. I. Second Edition. Published in London by Cunningham & Mortimer.

1842 - The Drunkard: A Poem. By John O'Neill. With illustrations by George Cruikshank. Published in London by Tilt and Bogue.

1842 - George Cruikshank's Omnibus. (Parts 1-9) Illustrated with one hundred engravings on steel and wood. By George Cruikshank. Edited by Laman Blanchard, Esq. Published in London by Titl and Bogue.

1838 - Memoirs Joseph Grimaldi. Edited By “B O Z.” (Charles Dickens) With illustrations by George Cruikshank. In Two volumes. Vol. I. Published in London by Richard Bentley.

1838 - Bentley's Miscellany. American Edition. Vol. II. Illustrated by George Cruikshank. Published in New York by Jemima M. Lewer.

1838 - Lympsfield Environs, Being A Series Of Views, With Descriptions, Of That Village And Objects Of Interest In Its Vicinity; The Old Oak Chair, A Ballad.With Illustrations by George Cruikshank. Printed And Published in Westerham by Henry George.

1837 - Sketches by Boz: Illustrative of Every-day Life, and Every-day People. The Second Series. Complete in one volume. By Charles Dickens with Illustrations by George Cruikshank. Published in London by John Macrone.

1837 - Rambles In The Footsteps Of Don Quixote. By The Late H. D. Inglis, Author Of "Spain:" - "New Gil Blas, Or Pedro Of Penaflor," - "The Tyrol:" - "Channel Islands," Etc. Etc. With Illustrations By George Cruikshank. Published in London by Whittaker and Co.

1836 - The Comic Almanack. For 1836: An Ephemeris In Jest And Earnest. Containing "All Things Fitting For Such A Work." By Rigdum Funnidos, Cent. Adorned With A Dozen Of "Richte Merrie" Cuts Pertaining To The Months, And An Hieroglyphic, By Gearge Cruikshank. Published in London by Charles Tilt.

1836 - Land And Sea Tales. By The Old Sailor, Author Of "Tough Yarns," &c. Illustrated By George Cruikshank. In Two Volumes. Vol II. Published in London by Effingham Wilson.

1835 - George Cruikshank's Illustrations Of Humphrey Clinker, Roderick Random, Peregrine Pickle, Tom Jones, Joseph Andrews, Amelia, Vicar Of Wakefield, and Sir Lancelot Greaves. Forty one plates, with extracts describing each subject. Published in London by Charles Tilt.

1834 - The Universal Songster; Or, Museum Of Mirth: Forming The Most Complete Extensive, And Valuable Collection Of Ancient And Modern Songs In The English Lanuage. With A Copious And Classified Index, Which Will Under Its Various Heads, Refer The Reader To The Following Description Of Songs, Viz... Embellished with a humourous characteristic Frontispiece and Twenty-nine Wood-cuts, designed by George and Roret Cruikshank and engraved By J. R. Marshall. Vol III. Published in London by Jones and Co.

1834 - A History Of Egyptian Mummies, And An Account Of The Worship And Embalming Of The Sacred Animals By The Egyptians; With Remarks On The Funeral Ceremonies Of Different Nations, And Observations On The Mummies Of The Canary Islands, Of The Ancient Peruvians, Burman Priest,s &c. By Thomas Joseph Pettigrew, F.R.S. F.S.A. F.L.S. Published in London by Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, Green, and Longman.

1833 - The Adventures Of Gil Blas Of Santillane. Translated From The French Of Le Sage. By T. Smollett, M.D. To Which Is Prefixed A Memoir Of The Author By Thomas Roscoe. Illustrated by George Cruikshank. In Two Volumes. Vol. I. Printed in London by Effingham Wilson.

1832 - Illustrations of Smollett, Fielding, and Goldsmith, In a series of forty-on plates, designed and engraved By George Cruikshank. Accompanied by descriptive extracts. Published in London by Charles Tilt.

1832 - The Adventures Joseph Andrews. By Henry Fielding, Esq. With Illustrations By George Cruikshank. Published in London by James Cochrane and Co.

1830 - The Political Alphabet. With Notes And Illustrations. Embellished By Thirty-Two Engravings, From Designs By George Cruikshank, Esq. Fifth Edition. Published in London by William Carpenter.

1829 - The Pocket Magazine. Vol. 2. By George Cruikshank. Published in London by James Robin's and Co.

1828 - Tim Bobbin's Lancashire Dialect; And Poems. Plates By G. Cruikshank. Rendered intelligible to general readers by a literal interpretation and the obsolete words explained by quotations from the most early of the English authors. Published in London by Hurst, Chance, and Co.

1828 - The Diverting History Of John Gilpin: Showing How He went Farther Than He Intended, And Came Safe Home Again. By John Gilpin (pen name for William Cowper). With Illustrations by George Cruikshank. Engraved on Wood by Thompson, Branston, Wright, Slader and White. Published in London by Charles Tilt.

1827 - Philosophy In Sport Made Science In Earnest: Being and attempt to illustrate the first principles of natural philosophy by the aid of popular toys and sports. In Three Volumes. Vol. I. Published in London by Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, and Green.

1828 - Mornings At Bow Street: A Selection Op The Most Humourous And Entertaining Which Have Appeared In The Morning Herald. By Mr. Wight, Bow Street Reporter To The Morning Herald. With Twenty-One Illustrative Drawings By George Cruikshank. Published in London by Charles Baldwyn.

1823 - Points Of Humour; Illustrated By The Designs Of George Cruikshank. Published in London By C. Baldwyn.

1821 - The Political Showman - at Home! Exhibiting His Cabinet of Curiosities and Creatures - All Abide! By the author of the Political House That Jack Built. (William Hone) With Twenty-four cuts. (by George Cruikshank) Fourth Edition. Printed in London by William Hone. One Shilling.

1820 - The Man in the Moon &c. &c. &c. With Fifteen Cuts. Fourteenth Edition. Printed in London by William Hone. (Written by William Hone and Illustrated by George Cruikshank)

1815 - The Modern Dunciad: A Satire: with Notes, Biographical and Critical. Third Edition With a New Preface, and considerable Additions. (Written by George Daniel and one Illustration by George Cruikshank.)

1813 - The Scourge; Or, Monthly Expositor of Imposture and Folly. Volume 6 By George Cruikshank. Published in London by W. N. Jones.

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