George Cruikshank - Later Years

Later Years

After developing palsy in later life, Cruikshank's health and work began to decline in quality. He died on 1 February 1878 and was originally buried in Kensal Green Cemetery. In November 1878 his remains were exhumed and reburied in St. Paul's Cathedral. Punch magazine, which presumably did not know of his large illegitimate family, said in its obituary: "There never was a purer, simpler, more straightforward or altogether more blameless man. His nature had something childlike in its transparency."

In his lifetime he created nearly 10,000 prints, illustrations, and plates. Collections of his works are in the British and the Victoria and Albert museums. A Royal Society of Arts blue plaque commemorates Cruikshank at 293 Hampstead Road in Camden Town.