Friday’s Library Snapshot … Monica Poole

Monica Poole (1921-2003) was an English wood-engraver and lived most of her life in Kent. The images found in Kent by Reginald Turner demonstrate her intimate knowledge of the county.

She studied at Abbotsford and Broadstairs School and attended Thanet School of Art at Margate where she was introduced to the wood-engraving of Geoffrey Wales. During the War Monica worked in an aircraft factory.

Between 1945 and 1949 at the while studying at the Central School of Arts and Crafts she met Noel Rooke the wood-engraver.

Inspired by John Farleigh’s illustrations in the Man who died by D.H. Lawrence,  Monica decided to study with him. Later in 1986 she produced the book The Wood Engravings of John Farleigh.

When her husband died in 1969 Monica retired and lived quietly in Tonbridge.

Images from

The man who died by D.H. Lawrence ; with illustrations drawn and engraved on wood by John Farleigh.

Vision of England ; Kent by Reginald Turner with wood engravings by Monica Poole