Tarrant, Margaret
Tarrant, Margaret (1888–1959),British illustrator noted for her innovative work for the Medici Society in the 1920s. Her colour illustrations accompanied Marion Webb's poems about unusual fairies such as insects and wild fruits. Altogether 13 little books, about 10 by 13 cm. (4 by 5 inches), were produced from 1917 to 1929. They featured glued‐in watercolour illustrations with decorative and varied borders surrounding the illustration. Tarrant dressed her fairies in varied garb. For instance, the caterpillar in The Insect Fairies sported a sunshade, veil, bag, purse, and sailor's hat, and carried a seaside spade and pail.
Born in Battersea, London, Tarrant studied at the Clapham School of Art and later at Heatherley's School of Art. In 1935 she took another course at the Guildford School of Art. She began her career by designing cards and calendars, gaining her first commission in 1908 for Charles