Henry Justice Ford facts for kids

A princess in a summerhouse, from The Green Fairy Book

Henry Justice Ford (1860–1941) was a talented English artist and illustrator. He was very busy creating art from 1886 until the late 1920s. Many people knew him as H. J. Ford. He became famous for his beautiful drawings in Andrew Lang's Fairy Books. These books were loved by children all over the world in the 1880s and 1890s. His pictures helped bring these magical stories to life.

Early Life and Education

Henry Ford went to school at Repton School and then to Clare College at Cambridge University. He was a very good student, getting top grades in his studies of ancient languages and history in 1882. After college, he moved back to London to study art. He learned at the Slade School of Fine Art and later at the Bushey School of Art. His teacher there was a famous artist named Hubert von Herkomer.

Art Career and Famous Works

In 1892, Henry Ford started showing his paintings at the Royal Academy of Arts. These paintings often showed historical scenes or landscapes. However, he became most famous and earned a good living from his book illustrations.

He drew pictures for many popular books, such as:

• The Arabian Nights Entertainments (1898)
• Kenilworth (1900)
• A School History of England (1911), which was written by C. R. L. Fletcher and Rudyard Kipling

His detailed and imaginative illustrations made these stories even more exciting for readers.

Family Life

Richard John Cuninghame (1871–1925)

Henry's parents were Katherine Mary Justice and William Augustus Ford. His family had a strong connection to cricket. His father wrote many articles and books about the sport. Henry's brother, Francis Ford, even played cricket for England in Australia.

When Henry was 61, he married Emily Amelia Hoff in 1921. She was a widow whose first husband had passed away in 1915. Henry and Emily lived in Bedford Gardens in Kensington for several years. In 1927, they adopted a child named June Mary Magdelene Ford. One of Henry's paintings, 'Remembering Happier Things', shows a woman who looks a lot like his wife, Emily.

Hobbies and Friendships

Henry Justice Ford loved cricket and played regularly with the Allahakbarrie Cricket Club. This club was started by the famous playwright J. M. Barrie. This connection led to Henry drawing the well-known map of Kensington Gardens for Barrie's book, 'The Little White Bird'.

He also designed the costume for the character of Peter Pan when Barrie's play was first performed in London in 1904. Henry's many interests helped him become friends with other famous people of his time. These friends included writers like P. G. Wodehouse, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and AEW Mason.

Gallery

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  Arthur meets the Lady of the Lake and gets the Sword Excalibur. Tales of Romance. (1919)

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  The End of the Dragon. The Red Romance Book. (1905)

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  Morgan Casts Away Excalibur's Scabbard. King Arthur: The Tales of the Round Table. (1902)

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  Allerleirauh. The Green Fairy Book. (1892)

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  How the Fairies came to see Ogier the Dane. The Red Romance Book. (1905)

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  The Snow Queen takes Kay in her sledge. The Pink Fairy Book. (1897)

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  What came of picking jessamine. The Grey Fairy Book. (1900)

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  The Chariot of Freya. Tales of Romance. (1919)

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  Listen listen said the mermaid to the prince. The Brown Fairy Book. (1904)

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  Indians. The Strange Story Book. (1913)

Images for kids

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  Self Portrait of Henry Justice Ford

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  Marie Antoinette and Mozart. The Book of Princes and Princesses. (1908)