Henry Arthur Riley (1895-1966)

Henry Arthur Riley was a painter, born in Chelsea, London, Harry Riley as he was commonly known, first studied art at the Hammersmith School of Art and was employed in Fleet Street as a junior artist while continuing to attend evening classes at nearby Bolt Court, 1910-15 studying under Walter Bayes. Following active service in World War I Riley continued his studies at St. Martin's School of Art. He exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy, Royal Society of British Artists and the Royal Institute of Oil Painters. Henry Arthur Riley was a great cartoon illustrator and his work was reproduced on numerous occasions in the Reynolds News, London Opinion, Blighty, Humorist and the Sunday Chronicle, as well as Punch and other influential newspapers and magazines of the 1930’s. He also was commissioned by British Rail for supplying travel posters. Elected RI in 1940 Riley was also a member of the Savage Club and the London Sketch Club.