I’m always on the look out for awesome public domain art to curate, so I check in to see who’re the latest artists to enter the public domain.  2015 has already brought William Heath Robinson into the mix.  I really love his imaginative illustrations and cartoons.  A beloved British illustrator, Robinson illustrated Hans Christen Andersen Fairytale books, publications and newspapers, books, and became known for a series of whimsical drawings of imaginative Contraptions.  With Robinson’s work in the public domain, this opens up a world of possibilities for fellow artists, teachers, designers, and anyone working on a creative project.

Who Was William Heath Robinson?

Fun Facts

• Was born in 1872 to a family of artists
• His father, Thomas, and both his brothers, Thomas Heath and Charles, all worked as illustrators
• William Heath Robinson illustrated several classic children’s books, most notably ‘A Midsummer’s Night Dream’, ‘Twelfth Night’, and Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytales.
• He wrote three children’s books of his own, The Adventures of Uncle Lubin, Bill The Minder and Peter Quip in Search of a Friend.
• He became particularly known for his contraptions and inventions illustrations
• Learn more about Robinson’s life over at Wikipedia!

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