‘Phiz’ was the nickname of
Hablot Knight Browne.

He was an illustrator who
provided drawings for 10
of Charles Dickens’ novels,
including the Pickwick Papers.

Knight Browne took the nickname ‘Phiz’
to complement Dickens’ nickname, ‘Boz’.

He moved to Croydon in about 1846
and lived with his wife and children
in Thornton Heath
and later on Duppas Hill.

If you know a story about this object
we would like to hear from you.

Ask a member of staff in the gallery
for a contact card
or contact us at:

Museum of Croydon
Croydon Clocktower
Katharine Street
Croydon
CR9 1ET

Tel: 020 8253 1022
Email: museum@croydon.gov.uk

Halbot Knight Browne was just 21,
when Dickens chose him
to illustrate the Pickwick Papers.

They worked together for 23 years,
but in 1864,
Dickens ended their collaboration.
Knight Browne’s style
was going out of fashion
and he and Dickens had drifted apart.

Knight Browne was surprised
and hurt by this rejection.

In 1867 he suffered a stroke
which meant he could no longer draw.

He died in Brighton in 1882.

To find out more about Croydon when
Hablot Knight Browne lived here
you can visit the Research Room.



The Research Room is on the
lower ground floor of the Clocktower,
It is open Tuesday-Saturday
10:30am-5pm.