Life

Comfort was born in London, England on November 11, 1864, where he attended the Graphic School of Wood Engraving, and afterwards worked as an engraver for almost 15 years at The Graphic, a national illustrated journal founded in 1869 by William Luson Thomas. During that time, he achieved some renown for his watercolour paintings, especially of flowers, and his work was exhibited in Brussels and at the Royal Academy in London. He was also chairman of the International Society of Wood Engravers, but, with the development of half-tone and screen blocks for illustrations, wood-engraving became obsolete, and he left the journal and moved north.

Comfort settled in Halifax at Swires Road, and taught art at the local Heath Grammar School, and Sowerby Bridge and Hebden Bridge Secondary Schools. He joined the Halifax Art Society, and developed some skill with pen and ink sketches and mezzo-tints. The Halifax Evening Courier published two books of his sketches, Sketches of Old Halifax in 1912 and Ancient Halls in and about Halifax in 1913.

Comfort died in 1935 aged 71 at the Royal Halifax Infirmary. He was survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter.

Publications

• Sketches of Old Halifax
• Ancient Halls in and about Halifax

Organizations

• The Society of Wood Engravers
• Royal Academy