George CruikshankEnglish, 1792–1878Mrs George Cruikshank
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Not on view at present
Where is “Mrs George Cruikshank” now? Collection: Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Not on view at present. Checked September 25, 2026.
London, United Kingdom
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
Details
- Accession number
- 9769
In the catalog
Sources
- Victoria and Albert Museum
- Image: Victoria and Albert Museum — © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
In the life of George Cruikshank
The whole life1835–1853
Publishes “The Comic Almanack”
He publishes “The Comic Almanack”, for which he prepares not only the illustrations but the text as well.
late 1840s
Becomes a champion of temperance
In the late 1840s Cruikshank’s attention shifts from book illustration to temperance and the fight against smoking: a former heavy drinker, he supports, lectures to and draws for the National Temperance Society and the Total Abstinence Society. His committed teetotalism further sours his friendship with Dickens, who held to moderation.
1849
His first wife dies
His wife Mary Ann (1807–1849) dies; two years later he marries again.
7 March 1851
Marries Eliza Widdison
On 7 March 1851, two years after his first wife’s death, he marries Eliza Widdison; the couple live at 263 Hampstead Road in north London.
1856
Becomes vice president of the National Temperance League
For his efforts in the cause he is made vice president of the National Temperance League.
1859
Organises a Rifle Volunteer Corps
When the invasion scare of 1859 gave rise to the Volunteer Movement, he became one of the organisers of Rifle Volunteer Corps: his 24th Surrey RVC recruited working men who were total abstainers and was named “Havelock’s Own” after Major-General Sir Henry Havelock.
