Hugh Thomson, best known for his illustrations of popular books, was born on June 1, 1860 in Coleraine, Ireland. His professional career began with an apprenticeship at Marcus Ward and Company, a card manufacturer. In 1883 he moved to London where he met William Comyns Carr, editor of The English Illustrated Magazine. Thomson's work was featured frequently in this publication. He also contributed illustrations to The Graphic. His illustrations can be found in a series called Highways and Byways as well as works by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, George Eliot, James Lane Allen, and Austin Dobson. Thomson was married to Jessie Naismith of Belfast and had one son. He died in England on May 7, 1920 of heart disease.