Isaac Robert Cruikshank ( 1789 - 1856)

Cruikshank was a British caricaturist, illustrator, and portrait miniaturist, the brother of George Cruikshank, both sons of Isaac Cruikshank. Just like them he holds importance as a pioneer in the history of comics for creating several cartoons which make use of narrative sequence and speech balloons.

Isaac joined the Loyal North Britons, a volunteer military unit, rising to the rank of sergeant when the volunteers turned out in 1803. During adolescence both brothers attended boxing and fencing matches, cock-fights, and numerous tavern contests. Cruikshank gained a midshipman’s commission in the East India Company’s ship Perseverance. In the late 1820s Cruikshank illustrated a number of notable books that were often sequels to previous successes to which he and his brother George had contributed.