Randolph Caldecott
Randolph Caldecott was a prominent English illustrator born in Chester in 1846, known for his significant contributions to children's literature. Despite facing health challenges from a young age, including rheumatic fever that affected his heart, Caldecott pursued his passion for drawing. Initially working at a bank, he began selling illustrations while studying art, which led to his breakthrough in 1875 with the book *Old Christmas from the Sketchbook of Washington Irving*. His work in the 1870s coincided with the rise of children's literature, and he became renowned for his vibrant illustrations that brought stories to life.
Caldecott collaborated with publisher Edmund Evans to produce a series of high-quality picture books, with notable titles including *John Gilpin* and *The House That Jack Built*, both released in 1878. His engaging style helped shape the modern picture book format, and he was one of the first illustrators to negotiate royalties for his work. He married Marian Brind in 1880 but struggled with health issues throughout his life. Tragically, Caldecott passed away in 1886 during a trip to the United States. His legacy endures through his influential illustrations and the Caldecott Medal, established in his honor to recognize excellence in children's book illustration.
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Subject Terms
Randolph Caldecott
Artist
- Born: March 22, 1846
- Birthplace: Chester, Cheshire, England
- Died: February 12, 1886
- Place of death: St. Augustine, Florida
Biography
Randolph Caldecott was born in Chester, England, in 1846, the son of a tailor. As a child, he suffered from rheumatic fever, which damaged his heart permanently, and throughout his life he was in poor health. Young Caldecott loved drawing, but his father’s wishes and financial reality sent him to work at a bank when he left school in his teens. While working at the bank, Caldecott sold occasional illustrations to newspapers and magazines and studied drawing. Gradually, Caldecott built a career as an illustrator in Manchester and London, doing freelance work, continuing to study drawing, and building professional contacts.
His first big success came in 1875, when he received a commission to illustrate a book, Old Christmas from the Sketchbook of Washington Irving. Years of sketching animals, architectural details, and the English countryside came together in this book. Caldecott’s detail and sense of motion in his illustrations added humor and subtlety to the text.
Caldecott’s reputation and fortune were founded on his career as a children’s book illustrator. In the 1870’s, children’s literature was a relatively new field. New printing technology made it possible to supply the growing demand for quality books for children. A London publisher and engraver, Edmund Evans, asked Caldecott to illustrate a series of high quality picture books for children. The first two books, John Gilpin and The House That Jack Built, came out in time for Christmas 1878. The first printing sold out in six months. The books were glowingly reviewed as original, funny, and clever. Caldecott’s work was joyous, full of motion, color, detail, and expression. His illustrations enhanced the text and helped create a new form of children’s literature—the modern picture book.
Caldecott completed a total of sixteen picture books for Evans, and was one of the first illustrators to negotiate for royalties from his publisher. His books sold well, and he became rich. He worked hard, choosing and illustrating rhymes and stories, adapting them as necessary, sometimes writing the text.
Caldecott married Marian Brind in 1880, and continued to work and publish. His health was never robust, and hard work and city life took its toll. In 1885, Caldecott and his wife took a trip to the United States, planning to travel, learn, sketch, and end up in the warm climate of Florida for the winter. However, Caldecott became ill from the stresses of travel and an unusually cold winter and died in St. Augustine, Florida, on February 12, 1886, just a few weeks short of his fortieth birthday.
Caldecott’s work outlived him. His books continued to sell well after his death. Individual illustrations sold in galleries and were hung in museums.
One of the most prestigious prizes in children’s literature was named in Caldecott’s honor. Established in 1938, the Caldecott Medal is awarded to the artist of the most distinguished picture book for children published in the United States in the preceding year. Caldecott’s work established the illustrator of a children’s book as an equal to the author.