Arthur Moreland (12 October 1867–4 August 1951) was an artist of the early 20th-century remembered today for his humorous depictions of early British life. Moreland was born in

Ardwick Ardwick is a district of Manchester in North West England, one mile south east of the city centre. The population of the Ardwick Ward at the 2011 census was 19,250. Historically in Lancashire, by the mid-nineteenth century Ardwick had grown from ...

, a village in Lancashire in 1867, the eldest of six children born to Elizabeth and Edward Moreland, an Agent for Black Lead Makers. Initially, he was employed as a commercial traveller before moving to London where, in about 1892, he commenced work in the advertising department of the London evening newspaper ''

The Star ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...

''. Entirely self-taught as an artist, his striking

caricature A caricature is a rendered image showing the features of its subject in a simplified or exaggerated way through sketching, pencil strokes, or other artistic drawings (compare to: cartoon). Caricatures can be either insulting or complimentary, a ...

of the newspaper's executive Ernest Parke was seen by Parke who, instead of sacking Moreland appointed him to the art department. Later Moreland was the political cartoonist for the ''

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'' and his artwork for that newspaper was reprinted as ''Humors of History'' (1898) and ''More Humours of History'' (1925). During World War I he drew ''The History of the Hun'' (1917). His ''The Comic History of Sport'' (1924) included reprinted drawings from the illustrated weekly periodical ''All Sports''. Moreland's cartoons were "noted for their pungent wit" and they are credited with having contributed to the Liberal landslide of 1906 and the party's subsequent revival.Arthur Moreland (1867-1951)
The Political Cartoon Gallery website His artwork was exhibited at the Coronation Exhibition in 1911. During World War I Moreland ceased drawing political cartoons and commenced a new career as a freelance artist for various newspapers and illustrated books for other authors. These included ''The Gentle Golfer'' by Dr. T. P. MacNamara (1905), ''The Difficulties of Dr. Deguerre'' by Walter Hadwen (1926), and ''Lays from Lancashire'' by Nelson Jackson (1930). Arthur Moreland Dickens 1912

Moreland wrote and illustrated two books on Charles Dickens: ''Dickens in London'' (1928) and ''Dickens Landmarks in London'' (1931). In about 1930 a set of six postcards depicting his artwork of Dickens' characters was published by Samuels Limited.Arthur Moreland and his Homage to Dickens
Postcard History, 26 September 2022 A

Freemason Freemasonry or Masonry refers to fraternal organisations that trace their origins to the local guilds of stonemasons that, from the end of the 13th century, regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their interaction with authorities ...

, Moreland was initiated into Gallery Lodge No 1928 in 1908. He was the Honorable Secretary of the London Press Club for over 20 years, was chairman for four years, and on his retirement was made an honorary life member. He was a member of the Savage Club and a life member of the Newspaper Press Fund. Moreland married Blanche Ada Rayson (1867-1958) in 1896. They had three children: Mary Hermione Moreland (1897-1989), Edward Rayson Moreland (1902-1958), and John Moreland (1908-1976). In 1911 the family were living in

Denmark Hill Denmark Hill is an area and road in Camberwell, in the London Borough of Southwark. It is a sub-section of the western flank of the Norwood Ridge, centred on the long, curved Ruskin Park slope of the ridge. The road is part of the A215 road, A21 ...

in London. Moreland's occupation at that time was listed as 'Political Cartoonist'. In 1939 he and his wife were living with his sisters Beatrice and Mary Elizabeth Moreland in Ulverston in Lancashire; at that time his occupation was listed as 'Artist (Retired)'. His brother Edgar and his wife lived next door. Arthur Moreland grave Pembury

In his later years Moreland lived at Groombridge in

Sussex Sussex (), from the Old English (), is a historic county in South East England that was formerly an independent medieval Anglo-Saxon kingdom. It is bounded to the west by Hampshire, north by Surrey, northeast by Kent, south by the English ...

. On his death in 1951 aged 83 he left an estate valued at £200 4s 6d.England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995 for Arthur Moreland He and his wife are buried in the Pembury Burial Ground at Pembury in Kent.

References

External links

Gallery of Moreland's original artworksArtwork of Arthur Moreland
Google Arts and Culture {{DEFAULTSORT:Moreland, Arthur 1867 births 1951 deaths 19th-century English artists 20th-century English artists English cartoonists 20th-century British illustrators Artists from London English illustrators People of the Victorian era People from Groombridge Freemasons of the United Grand Lodge of England