Steven Spurrier

Who was Steven Spurrier?

Steven Spurrier was a British artist and painter.

Spurrier was born in London and from the age of seventeen served an apprenticeship to his silversmith father. Spurrier also studied art at evening classes at Heatherley's and then at the Gilbert Garrett School. In 1900, Spurrier gave up silverwork and became a freelance magazine illustrator. His work appeared in magazines such as Madame, Black and White, The Graphic, Illustrated London News and the Radio Times.

During the First World War, he worked with the Admiralty developing dazzle camouflage for ships. He exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1913, was made an associate member in 1945 and became a full member of the Academy in 1952.

Spurrier also produced posters for theatrical productions and illustrated books. His illustrations for Swallows and Amazons, the first book in the children's series by Arthur Ransome, were disliked by Ransome and were not used except for the dust jacket and map.Later editions had illustrations by Clifford Webb and then by Ransome himself.

Spurrier died in London in 1961. The designer and artist John Benison was his son.