(1796 - 1871)
John Henry Robinson was born in Bolton, Lancashire. From 18 he was apprenticed to engraver James Heath, before working as a book illustrator. A commission from the Artists’ Benevolent Fund helped establish his career and in 1824 he exhibited six works at the Society of British Artists. Robinson illustrated Horace Walpole’s ‘Anecdotes of Painting’, Samuel Roger’s ‘Italy’ and engraved the vignette of ‘Britannia’ used on Bank of England notes for c.100 years. He was one of many artists who petitioned the King in 1837 for engravers to become members of the Royal Academy. At 55, he married Edith Blann, a widow, and rented New Grove, in Petworth, Sussex. He was elected a Royal Academician in 1867 and also became a justice of the peace for Sussex.
