LAWSON WOOD

Lawson Wood was born on 23 August 1878 in Highgate, London, the son of landscape artist Pinhorn Wood,^[1] and the grandson of architectural artist L.J. Wood. He studied at the Slade School of Fine Art, Heatherley’s School of Fine Art and Frank Calderon’s School of Animal Painting.^[2]

In 1896, he was employed with periodical publisher C. Arthur Pearson Ltd.^[1] In 1902, he married Charlotte Forge. From the age of 24 he pursued a successful freelance career and was published in The Graphic, The Strand Magazine, Punch, The Illustrated London News, and Boys Own Paper. He illustrated a number of books including Louis Tracy‘s The Invaders in 1901 for Pearson.^[2]

By 1906, he was recognized for his humorous style, especially for his depictions of stone-age humans and dinosaurs.

During World War I, Wood served as an officer in the Kite Balloon Wing of the Royal Flying Corps,^[1] and was responsible for spotting planes from a hot-air ballon. The duty was dangerous, and Wood was decorated by the French for his action over Vimy Ridge.

Wood was a recluse during his later years and dwelt in a 15th-century medieval manor house he moved brick by brick from Sussex to the Kent border.^[1] He died in Devon on 26 October 1957 at the age of 79.^[