George Du Maurier R.W.S

1834 - 1896

The Franco-British artist, illustrator, cartoonist and novelist, could boast the splendid name of George Louis Palmella Busson du Maurier. He was one of the most celebrated popular artists and writers of the late nineteenth century, particularly for his work for 'Punch' and his 1894 Gothic novel, 'Trilby'. Du Maurier studied art in Paris, in the studio of Charles Gleyre, moving to Antwerp, where he lost the vision in his left eye. In 1891, after a career of illustrating magazines, failing eyesight caused him to resign from 'Punch' and concentrate on writing. He was grandfather of the five boys who inspired J M Barrie's 'Peter Pan', and of the writer Daphne Du Maurier.