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.
What's Your Story?
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
Drawing for Dickens
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.
Find out more
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.