Illustrator Robert Fawcett was born outside of London, England in 1903. His father, an amateur artist, lent much encouragement to his sons early drawing efforts. Fawcetts family moved from England to Winnipeg, Canada where he apprenticed under a local engraver. He spent his entire earnings buying old magazines to study the illustrations. When the family moved again, this time to New York City, Fawcett pursued commercial work until leaving to study abroad.

At nineteen, Fawcett returned to London, and for two years studied drawing under the rigorous discipline of the Slade School of London University. After graduating, he viewed commercial art with scorn. However, upon entering the fine art world, some of ...