Harrison Weir facts for kids

Harrison William Weir (born May 5, 1824 – died January 3, 1906) was a famous British artist. He is often called "The Father of the Cat Fancy" because he loved cats so much. He helped organize the very first cat show in England. This big event happened in July 1871 at the Crystal Palace in London. Harrison and his brother, John Jenner Weir, even judged the cats at this show! Later, in 1887, Harrison Weir started the National Cat Club. He was its first President and managed its shows until 1890.

Harrison Weir's Artistic Journey

"Lookout Boy Aloft"(?) from Pictures and Prattle for the Nursery (1880?)

Illustrated cover of Three Hundred Aesop's Fables by George Fyler Townsend (c. 1867)

Harrison Weir went to school at Albany Academy until 1837. After that, he became an apprentice to George Baxter, a printer who specialized in color. Weir learned many things in Baxter's business, especially how to print from plates. He taught himself to engrave and draw on wood. In his free time, he practiced drawing birds, mammals, and other animals from nature.

In 1842, a newspaper called The Illustrated London News started. They hired Weir as a draughtsman (someone who draws for printing) and engraver right from the very first issue. He worked for them for many years.

Weir had his first art show in 1845. He showed an oil painting of a wild duck called "The Dead Shot." Throughout his career, he sometimes showed his art at famous places like the Royal Academy. In 1849, he became a member of the New Society of Painters in Water-colours, which is now called the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours. He showed about 100 pictures there!

Illustrating Nature and Animals

Harrison Weir was known as a natural history artist. This means he drew animals and plants. He drew pictures for many books, including Illustrated Natural History by Rev John George Wood (1853). He was also the main artist for Wild Sports and Natural History of the Highlands by Charles St John. Weir also drew all the pictures for Three Hundred Æsop's Fables (1867) by George Fyler Townsend. He also illustrated many books for the nature writer Sarah Bowdich Lee.

Weir was very busy and popular as a book illustrator. Besides The Illustrated London News, he worked for many other illustrated papers. These included the Pictorial Times, The Field, and Pictorial World. Sometimes, he even put together the books he illustrated, like The Poetry of Nature (1867). He wrote and illustrated his own books too, such as Every Day in the Country (1883) and Animal Studies, Old and New (1885).

In 1889, Weir wrote a very important book called Our Cats and All About Them. This book described and showed pictures of the different types of cats that were popular at the time. It was the first book ever written about specific breeds of cats!

Weir loved animals very much. His drawings of pet cats, dogs, and chickens are probably his most famous works. He was an experienced breeder of cats, pigeons, and poultry (chickens, ducks, etc.). For thirty years, he often judged at the biggest pigeon and poultry shows. He also wrote and illustrated a detailed book called Our Poultry and All About Them (1903).

Harrison Weir was also interested in gardening and growing fruit trees. He wrote articles and drew pictures for many gardening magazines. He even designed special trophy cups for famous horse races like Ascot. In 1891, he was given a special pension of £100 per year for his contributions.

Harrison Weir's Many Interests

As a judge at animal shows, Weir was especially interested in cats, poultry, and pigeons. These animals, along with dogs and rabbits, often appeared in his artwork. Besides gardening, growing fruit, studying nature, and breeding poultry, Weir belonged to many different clubs.

Harrison Weir's Family Life

Harrison Weir was married three times. His first wife was Ann, the daughter of a famous painter of racehorses, John Frederick Herring, Sr.. His second wife was Alice. After Alice passed away in 1898, he married Eva in 1899. Eva became his widow when he died. Weir had two sons, Arthur and John, and two daughters.

Selected Works by Harrison Weir

The Wren's Nest (1881)

Here are some of the books Harrison Weir wrote or edited, and also illustrated:

• Every Day in the Country (1883) – This was like a diary.
• Our Cats and All About Them: Their Varieties, Habits, and Management; and for Show, the Standard of Excellence and Beauty, Described and Pictured (1889) – His famous cat book.
• The Poultry Book (1912) – A book about chickens and other poultry.

Here are some books he only illustrated:

• Cat and Dog, or Memoirs of Puss and the Captain, by Julia Maitland (1854)
• The Poetry of Nature (1868) – A collection of poems he chose and illustrated.