George Cruikshank was one of the most prominent and influential artists of the 19th century and this edition of Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens pays testament to his legacy. Born in 1792 to Scottish parents, he began work with little education. Following in his father’s footsteps; Isaac Cruikshank was one of the great character artists of the 18th century, he quickly learnt the skills of his father’s work and soon developed his own style aimed at political and societal life. It is reputed that he was bribed by King George 1V to the tune of £100 not to characterise him such was his renown.

Eventually he turned his attention to book illustrations and his output was incredible. Some 850 books and 10,000 prints, drawings and plates, he epitomised the era, providing a unique insight into life in England during that period.

His illustrations for Charles Dickens feel like a marriage made in heaven and in this Penguin English Library edition we are treated to his original illustrations. The most iconic moment in the book and most especially the subsequent films, television shows and plays is when the young Oliver asks for more food and Cruikshank captures the moment perfectly..

Once a heavy drinker, he reformed and went on to advocate for education around alcohol. Twice married, neither of his wives bore him any children but upon his death in 1878 aged a very respectable eighty five, it was found he had fathered eleven children to his mistress he kept housed a few doors down from his house!!

So here’s some of the wonderful illustrations from this 1966 edition, Oliver Twist was first published in Britain in 1837-9.