Sir John Gilbert RA was an English artist, illustrator and engraver. Gilbert was born in Blackheath, Surrey, and taught himself to paint. Skilled in several media, Gilbert gained the nickname, "the Scott of painting". He designed an impressive number of wood-engravings (over 2000) and he also produced very many illustrations for books, including nearly all the important English poets (his illustrated Shakespeare comprises almost 750 drawings). He became president of the Royal Watercolour Society in 1871. He exhibited some 400 pictures in watercolour and oil. In 1872 he was knighted.
(source: wikipedia)