John Leech

Leech was a caricaturist and illustrator, born in London. His talent was recognized when a child by John Flaxman. He was educated at the Charterhouse School where fellow pupil William Makepeace Thackeray became his lifelong friend. Although his early training was in the medical profession he gradually moved towards an artistic career. He began submitting illustrations for periodicals such as the Shilling Magazine. He worked in etching, lithography and wood engraving. In 1841 he began his association with Punch, for which he is best known. Other texts in which his work appeared included Once a Week, and the Illustrated London News.