RANDOLPH CALDECOTT

Randolph was born in Chester on 22 March 1846 at 150 Bridge Street (now No 16) where today there is a plaque to commemorate him. His father, John Caldecott, was a Chester business man and an accountant of some note who was married twice and had 13 children. Randolph was his third child by his first wife Mary Dinah (née Brookes). In 1848 the family moved to Challoner House, Crook Street and in 1860 to 23 Richmond Place at Boughton just outside Chester. He spent the last five years of his schooling at The King's School which, in those days, was in the cathedral buildings in the centre of the city. In his early childhood Randolph drew and modelled, mostly animals, and he continued drawing for the rest of his life. There is a small oil painting in Chester of his brother Alfred painted during his school days... Info about Randolph Caldecott (1846-86), artist and illustrator, and the UK Society which encourages appreciation of his work and influence on Victorian life.

Primary location: Upton United Kingdom