Arthur Boyd Houghton

Who was Arthur Boyd Houghton?

Arthur Boyd Houghton, who usually signed his name A. B. Houghton, was a British painter and illustrator.

Houghton was born in Kotagiri, Madras, India. His work was varied and was highly regarded during the mid-19th century. He traveled to America and Russia, creating illustrations for The Graphic and for numerous books, including The Arabian Nights and Don Quixote. His work was strongly influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.

He played a leading role in the renaissance of wood-engraved illustration during the golden decade of English book illustration, when a new school of artists overcame the limitations of the medium. Deeply influenced by the idealism of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, he imbued both his paintings and drawings with a haunting blend of poetic realism. He was the fourth son of Captain John Michael Houghton, who served in the East India Company's Marine as a draughtsman.

Laurence Housman produced a selection from his work which was dedication to the artists daughter Mrs E.C. Davis..

Paul Hogarth wrote a biography and monograph.