Clegg, Ernest

Ernest Clegg (1876–1954) was a British cartographer & graphic artist, known for his decorative maps that blend artistic design with historical narratives. Born in Birmingham, England, he studied at the Birmingham School of Art, where he was influenced by the Arts and Crafts Movement and medieval illuminated manuscripts. After World War I, Clegg moved to the United States and established himself in New York as a distinguished calligrapher and illustrator. By the mid-1920s, he had gained recognition for his decorative cartography, creating maps such as one commemorating Charles Lindbergh's 1927 transatlantic flight. He also produced maps for the America's Cup races in 1930, 1934, and 1937. During World War II, Clegg returned to England and embarked on a series of illustrated county and regional maps to raise funds for the Women's Land Army Benevolent Fund. These maps, including the 1947 "Northern Ireland," stand out for the incorporation of much cultural and historical narrative, exemplifying his unique information-rich cartographic style; the full series was never completed, possibly due to post-war material shortages.