John Leech (1817–1864) was born in London and initially studied medicine at St Bartholomew's Hospital, but showing promise as an artist from a very early age, he gradually moved towards an artistic profession. In the 1840s he produced etchings for various magazines, including Bentley's Miscellany, Shilling Magazine and notably, the first illustrations for Charles Dickens' 1843 novella A Christmas Carol. In 1841 Leech's lifelong connection with Punch began. His drawings for Punch, reproduced as wood engravings, the work for which he is most celebrated. He also became well known for hunting and sporting subjects, many of which were produced for The Illustrated London News.
