Francis Eginton (engraver) facts for kids
Francis Eginton (born in Birmingham in 1775, died near Newport, Shropshire in 1823) was a skilled English engraver. An engraver is an artist who creates pictures or designs by cutting lines into a hard surface, often metal, so that they can be printed. Francis Eginton was known for his detailed and beautiful work.
Francis Eginton: A Talented Engraver
Francis Eginton was born in the city of Birmingham in 1775. He came from a family of artists. His father, John Eginton, was also a well-known engraver, famous for a style called stipple engraving. Francis also had an uncle named Francis Eginton, who was a famous glass painter.
His Amazing Artwork
Francis Eginton's engravings were highly praised for being very accurate and artistic. He helped illustrate many important books of his time. Imagine creating all the pictures for a book by hand!
Some of the books he worked on include:
- Stebbing Shaw's History of Staffordshire
- John Price's books about Leominster (published in 1795) and Hereford (published in 1796)
- Robert Bell Wheler's History and Antiquities of Stratford-on-Avon
- James Bisset's Picturesque Birmingham Guide
- Pratt's Leamington Guide
- Thomas Howell's Stranger in Shrewsbury
He illustrated most of the history and travel books published in the Midlands region of England during his lifetime. One of his most famous works was a large engraving of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, a huge water bridge.
A Respected Person
People who knew Francis Eginton described him as a "cheerful and gentlemanly companion." He was well-liked and respected by many. He passed away in 1823 at Meertown House, near Newport, Shropshire, when he was 48 years old. His work helped to record the history and beauty of England for future generations.
