Leonard Leslie Brooke

Leonard Leslie Brooke (24 September 1862 – 2 May 1940) was a British artist and writer.[1]

Illustration by Leonard Leslie Brooke of the story "Three Little Pigs".

Early life and education

Brooke was born in Birkenhead, England, the second son of Leonard D. Brooke.[2] He was educated at Birkenhead School and the Royal Academy Schools. While travelling in Italy, Brooke suffered a serious illness. He survived, but was left permanently deaf.[1]

Career

Though he did some oil paintings, Brooke was best known as a book illustrator. WorldCat library records show that he illustrated several works by Mrs. Molesworth in the mid-1890s, perhaps from 1892; one was The Carved Lions (1895) in its first edition. His skillful and witty illustrations in Andrew Lang's Nursery Rhyme Book (1897) established his reputation as a leading children's book illustrator of pen-and-ink line drawings and watercolors. His acclaimed works include Johnny Crow's Garden (1903), "Ring O' Roses", "The Golden Goose Book", Johnny Crow's Party (1907), Johnny Crow's New Garden (1935), "The Nursery Rhyme Book", and "Oranges and Lemons" published by Frederick Warne & Co.[1]

Personal life

Brooke married Sybil Diana Brooke, daughter of his cousin, Rev. Stopford Brooke. They had two sons:

Brooke died at his home in Hampstead, age 77.[1]

Legacy

Brooke has two paintings in British National Collections.[3] In Children's Reading, Lewis M. Terman and Margaret Lima recommended some of his picture books (such as "The Golden Goose Book", the two that feature Johnny Crow, and others), commenting that Brooke "catches the spirit of childhood with rare skill".[4]

References
  1. "Mr. Leslie Brooke – Illustrator of Children's Books". The Times. The Times Digital Archive. 2 May 1940. p. 9.
  2. General Register Office index of births registered in October, November, December 1862 - Name: Brooke, Leonard Leslie. District: Birkenhead. Volume: 8A Page: 391.
  3. 2 paintings by or after Leonard Leslie Brooke at the Art UK site
  4. Terman, Lewis M.; Lima, Margaret (1931). Children's Reading: A Guide for Parents and Teachers (Second ed.). D. Appleton and Company. p. 110.


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