Seaby, Allen W.

A student and then student-teacher at the then University College, Reading, Allen Seaby would become Professor of Art, at the University of Reading. Perhaps mostly widely known for his illustrations for the Ladybird Books of British Birds and Their Nests, Seaby was a prolific artist and writer, as well as a much-loved and highly influential teacher.

An important figure in the revival of traditional Japanese woodblock printing in Britain, Allen Seaby had quickly developed a mastery of the technique. He was known for perfecting the gradient of colour and tonality of his prints. Several of these prints make up an important part of the University Art Collection, with additional prints and wood blocks held in Typography.