William Heath Robinson (1872 – 1944) was an English illustrator and cartoonist, best known for his drawings of complicated machines for achieving simple objectives. “Heath Robinson Contraption” is a phrase that entered the language during WW1 in Britain, and later in the United States.
William wrote and illustrated three highly successful children’s books (The Adventures of Uncle Lubin 1902, Bill the Minder 1912, Peter Quip in Search of a Friend 1933) as well as illustrating numerous others.
In the run up to WW1, Robinson became known for a series of drawings in magazines such as The Sketch and The Tatler, many of which I will be featuring in this comprehensive look at his work.
This is part 13 of a 20 – part series on the works of W. Heath Robinson:
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| 1914 for "The Sketch" July 1914 pen and ink and watercolour 40.6 x 27.9 cm |
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| 1915 for "The Sketch" September 1915. A 'Grouse as usual" outrage by a German officer pen and ink and watercolour 38.1 x 27.9 cm |
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| 1915 World War 1 cartoon |
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| 1915-20c Indoor Football; The Town Councillors of Muggleton ink over pencil and opaque white on illustration board 38.3 x 26.3 cm Library of Congress, Washington, DC |
1915 Some 'Frightful' War Pictures:
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| Cover |
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| Title Page |
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