William Henry Boucher (1837-1906): Illustrator and Judy Cartoonist

This article examines the life and career of William H. Boucher (sometimes rendered as "Bowcher") and makes a case for his importance to the Victorian illustrated periodical press. Boucher was chief cartoonist at Judy for two decades, making him one of the greatest rivals to John Tenniel. Like Tenniel, he contributed illustrations to numerous important works of fiction and was a particular favourite of Robert Louis Stevenson (illustrating The Black Arrow and Kidnapped for the Young Folks Paper). Significantly, Boucher also originated the metaphor of "The Empty Chair" in tribute to Charles Dickens, which inspired Sir Luke Fildes's more famous version in the Graphic.