Explore: Edward Linley Sambourne

(1845 - 1910)

Edward Linley Sambourne was born in Pentonville, London. His father ran a furrier’s business in St Paul’s Churchyard. Sambourne was educated at the City of London School and Chester Training College. Aged 16, he entered the School of Art in South Kensington. He later gained an apprenticeship with a marine engine works in Greenwich. During this apprenticeship a friend showed his sketches to Mark Lemon, editor of ‘Punch’. This led to the publication of Sambourne’s first illustration for ‘Punch’. His career with the satirical magazine lasted for the rest of his life and he became Cartoonist-in-Chief in 1900. He also illustrated other publications, including the 1885 edition of Kingsley’s ‘The Water Babies’. He died in Kensington, aged 66.