Ellen Creathorne Clayton
# Ellen Creathorne Clayton

Ellen Creathorne Clayton, Mrs Needham; 15 February 1834 – 19 July 1900), born Eleanor Creathorne Clayton, was an author and artist.

## Biography

Eleanor Creathorne Clayton was born in Dublin on 15 February 1834 but moved to London with her father in 1841. Her father, Benjamin Clayton III, was a wood engraver. Her grandfather, Benjamin Clayton II, and her great-grandfather Benjamin Clayton I, were also wood engravers. Her aunt, Caroline Millard, was wood engraver based in Dublin.

Clayton was contributing articles and illustrations from the age of fourteen to a number of papers including Sala's paper as well as two of her father's publications, Chat and Punchinello. Though she is best known for her dictionary of English women painters, Clayton also wrote a number of novels and histories. Clayton created cards and calendars as well.

In February 1879, Clayton married solicitor James Henry Needham but continued to publish under her maiden name. She died in a nursing home in London in 1900.

