Ernest Prater facts for kids
Ernest Prater (1864–1950) was a famous English artist and book illustrator. He was also known for his work as a war correspondent, which means he reported on wars. He was also a "reportage artist," meaning he drew pictures of what was happening during wars. He did this during the Anglo-Boer War.
Contents
Life of an Artist and Reporter
Early Life and Interests
Ernest Prater was born in Islington, a part of London, in 1864. His family came from Cornwall. He went to Dr. Devonshire's school in London. He started his career as a clerk for a publisher. But he soon began drawing, which was his true passion. He loved all kinds of tough sports.
Reporting from the Battlefield
Ernest Prater served in the 3rd Middlesex Artillery for a while. Later, he became a war correspondent for a newspaper called The Sphere. He traveled with General Buller's army during the Boer War. From the battlefield, he sent back amazing illustrations. These drawings showed people back home what the war was really like. He also worked for other newspapers like the Black & White Budget and The Graphic. Besides drawing, he was also a skilled photographer.
Illustrating Exciting Stories
Prater contributed his illustrations to many popular magazines. These included the Strand Magazine, Pall Mall Gazette, and Boy's Own Paper. He also drew pictures for books published by groups like the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge and the Religious Tract Society.
Ernest Prater was especially good at illustrating adventure stories for boys. He worked with many well-known authors. Some of these writers were G.A. Henty, R.M. Ballantyne, and Percy F. Westerman. He helped bring their exciting tales to life with his drawings.
Famous Artworks and Collaborations
One of his most famous paintings is called The Last Pass: A Thrilling Moment in a Rugby Match. This painting captures an exciting moment in a rugby game.
He also worked with Sidney Paget. Paget was the famous illustrator for the Sherlock Holmes books by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. One drawing they worked on together was of Queen Victoria's funeral.
Family Life and Later Years
In 1911, Ernest Prater lived in Westcliff, in a town called Prittlewell. He was an artist and illustrator. He lived with his wife, Florence Alice Prater, and their five children. Their children were Gladys Alma, Marie Lilian Marguerite, Minnie Winifred, Ruby Albina, and Raleigh Brandon. Ernest Prater passed away in London on June 11, 1950, when he was 86 years old. Pictures of him appeared in The Sphere newspaper in 1900 and in The Year's Art in 1901.
Books Illustrated by Ernest Prater
Ernest Prater's illustrations appeared in many books. Here are a few examples:
- Henty, G. A. The lost heir (1899).
- Lampen, Charles Dudley. Mirango the man-eater: a tale of Central Africa (1899).
- Miller, J. Martin. Official history of the Russian-Japanese war (1904).
- Mathews, Basil Joseph.
- Livingstone, the Pathfinder (1913)
- John Williams, the shipbuilder (1915).
- Padwick, C. E. Mackay of the Great Lake (1917).
