Thomas Bewick was born at Cherryburn, a house in the village of Mickley, Northumberland near Newcastle-Upon-Tyne in 1753. At the age of fourteen he was apprenticed to the engraver Ralph Beilby to learn metal and wood engraving. In 1776 he became a partner in the firm and over time, employed his own apprentices including John Anderson, Luke Clennell, William Harvey, Henry Hole, Charlton Nesbit, William Temple and Henry White each of whom became master wood-engravers in their own right. Bewick illustrated a number of books for various authors and in 1790, had his own book, the General History of Quadrupeds published. This was followed in 1797 by the publication of his A History of British Land-Birds and in 1804 by A History of British Water-Birds. These last two volumes were adorned by tail piece vignettes of rural life which have become favourites among Bewick collectors. These vignettes were so well received that they were published separately and even issued as finely printed india paper proofs impressions. Ref: Iain Bain: Thomas Bewick Vignettes. Scholar press. 1978/9.