Skip page header and navigation

Robert Sargent Austin, 1895-1973

Main details

Main details for this item.
Reference number
1996/4850
Name
Robert Sargent Austin
Born
1895
Collection
Object type
  • Person
Completeness
36%
  • Biography

    AttributeValue
    Biography
    In 1911 he became apprenticed as a printer and lithographer. He received a scholarship to the Royal College of Art, where he studied engraving under Frank Short 1914-16 and 1919-22. This was followed by a year at the British School in Rome (where he was elected to the faculty in 1926).

    He taught engraving at the Royal College of Art 1927-44 and was Professor of Graphic Design 1948-55. A successful etcher and engraver, he also produced pencil illustrations for several travel books on which he collaborated with his wife, Ada Harrison. Examples of his work are in the Tate Gallery.
    Education
    Leicester School of Art,
    Royal College of Art, 1914-1916
    Royal College of Art, 1919-1922
    British School in Rome, Circa 1923
    Employment
    Designed posters and press advertisments for the Underground Group and London Transport, 1928-1943
    Role
    Artist,