Thomas Worth was one of the most successful of America's 19th century illustrators. By 1855 he was working as a book and magazine illustrator and contributed to the lithography firm of Currier and Ives. He was one of five artists chosen by publisher Harper and Brothers to illustrate its Household Edition of the works of Charles Dickens. He is best known for his comical genre scenes, especially for his "Darktown" series, as well as horse racing and other sports genres.
