Artwork and papers of Haro Hodson

Collection consists of original illustrations some of which appeared in the Observer between 1948 and 1964. The illustrations are predominately simple line drawings and cartoons in Indian ink. Also includes artwork and illustrations for other publications including the Daily Mail, Time & Tide and Tatler, as well as books and other printed material. Clippings, transparencies, facsimiles, sketch books and cuttings are also included and some personal papers.

Haro Hodson was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on 9 February 1923. He studied at Stroud School of Art in 1939. He was posted as an official war artist attached to GHQ New Delhi during the Second World War. His first published drawing appeared in 1941 in Lilliput. He studied English at Wadham College, Oxford and Bath Academy of Art, Corsham after the war. Some of his poems were published in the Observer and Adelphi during this time.

He joined the Observer staff as an illustrator in 1948 and remained until 1964.

Haro created cartoons and drawings in a strikingly bold style, often using Indian ink. His fondness for pug dogs is evident in his artwork, but also depicted are people, places and objects.

As well as the Observer, he has made contributions to the Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday, Punch, Tatler, Time & Tide, Harpers & Queen, New York Herald-Tribune and the Daily Telegraph.

Organised by format

Open. Records may be viewed in our reading room by appointment only, see our website for more information.

Material donated by Haro Hodson and his family in October 2005. Further illustration found in Abu Abraham material donated by Ayisha, Valerie and Janaki Abraham in 2006.

A full catalogue description for this collection can be found on the GNM Archive catalogue.