Thomas Bewick

Thomas Bewick (1753-1828), English wood engraver, born near Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland. He became apprentice to and, in 1777, partner of an engraver in Newcastle. Bewick illustrated A General History of Quadrupeds (1790), which popularized natural history and led to the publication of History of British Birds (1797 and 1804), also illustrated by him. Among his other works is an illustrated Fables of Æsop (1818). Bewick's depictions of animals showed his great understanding of their nature and habitat, and his technique of white line on a black background revived wood engraving as an art.