Randolph Caldecott: A Personal Memoir of His Early Art Career

"Randolph Caldecott: A Personal Memoir of His Early Art Career" by Henry Blackburn is a biography that chronicles the beginnings of a famous children's book illustrator. The story starts with Randolph Caldecott's childhood in Chester, painting a picture of his early life and the experiences that sparked his love for art. Though he begins his career as a bank clerk, his time spent fishing, shooting, and exploring in the countryside informed his creative expression. We then follow Caldecott to Manchester, watching as his unique style of illustration and humorous sketches take shape. This part of his journey highlights how his surroundings influenced his art and shows us his growing commitment to becoming a full-time artist, a dream he eventually chases in London.