18 Facts About Gordon Browne

Gordon Frederick Browne was an English artist and a prolific illustrator of children's books in the late 19th century and early 20th century.

Gordon Browne was a meticulous craftsman and went to a great deal of effort to ensure that his illustrations were accurate.

Gordon Browne illustrated six or seven books a year in addition to a huge volume of magazine illustration.

Gordon Browne was born in Banstead, the younger son of notable book illustrator Hablot Knight Browne.

Gordon Browne was privately educated and then studied art at the Heatherley School of Fine Art and South Kensington Schools.

Gordon Browne was a member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours and a founder member of the Royal Society of British Artists.

Some sources say that Gordon Browne began accepting commissions when still a student as money was in short supply at home as his father had been unwell in 1867 and was partly incapacitated by illness.

However, Kirkpatrick considers this unlikely as Gordon Browne was only 9 years of age in 1867, and that his earlies known illustrations only appeared in 1875.

Houfe says that "Gordon Browne illustrated a truly amazing quantity of boy's stories, tales and novels".

Kirkpatrick gives the estimate that Browne produce c 3,660 images in his work.

Gordon Browne exhibited his work extensively with over 200 works exhibited during his life.

Gordon Browne assembled a collection of armour, helmets, pistols, daggers, swords, uniforms, and even saddles.

Gordon Browne took great care that he understood the text he was illustrating.

Gordon Browne would read the text first, and then read it again to identify the details of the scene to be illustrated.

Gordon Browne died on 27 May 1932 at his home at 4784 Upper Richmond Road in Richmond, Surrey.

Gordon Browne was equally at home with character-drawing, action scenes or placid landscapes.

Gordon Browne's animals were as convincing as his people and his children were realistic and vigorous.

Dalby wrote Gordon Browne was one of the greatest illustrators of the Golden Age, both in terms of quality and quantity.