The artist and wood engraver Arthur Comfort was born in London on 11th November 1864.
He joined the Graphic School of Wood Engraving and later worked for 15 years as an engraver on the illustrated journal, the Graphic.
He exhibited in Brussels and at the Royal Academy, and he was chairman of the International Society of Wood Engravers.
When other chemical and photographic techniques superseded wood engraving, he left London and moved north to teach art at Heath Grammar School, and at secondary schools at Sowerby Bridge and Hebden Bridge.
His drawings appeared regularly in the Halifax Courier between 1911 and 1920 Between 1911-12, he produced a series of his fine black and white sketches – showing buildings and scenes around Halifax, each sketch accompanied by a brief description.
Some of these were published [1912] in a book entitled Sketches of Old Halifax. This gives descriptions and illustrations of 25 buildings and other features in the district.
He published a second set of sketches [1913], entitled Ancient Halls in & about Halifax. This gives descriptions and illustrations of 52 buildings and other features in the district.
His third series for the Courier was entitled Our Home & Country [1914-15], was published weekly and covered the outlying districts of Halifax – one district per week. Each drawing was made up of 3 or 4 smaller sketches.
His fourth series, was entitled In & About Our Old Homes [1920] was published weekly and covered interior details of local houses of the district. It seems that neither the third nor the fourth series were published in book form.
He produced most of the illustrations for Whiteley Turner's A Spring-Time Saunter.
He was a member of the Halifax Art Society.
On 24th June 1891, he married (1) Emma Isabella Sugden [1867-1909] at Leeds.
Children:
In 1911, he was a widower, and he and his sons were boarders with Frederick James Baker and family at 21a King Cross Road, Halifax.
He married Annie.
The family lived at Allandale, Swires Road, Halifax.
He died in the Royal Halifax Infirmary [30th November 1935].
Probate records show that he left effects valued at £989 13/1d
This & associated entries use material contributed by Derrick Habergham & John Needham
Page Ref: MMC365
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