A precocious talent who at age eight successfully submitted work to the Royal Drawing Society in Leicester, Robert Sargent Austin went on to become one of the leading engravers in Britain during the twentieth century. His formal studies began in 1909 at the Leicester Municipal School of Art, and were followed by undergraduate studies at the Royal College of Art, London, where he studied engraving under Sir Frank Short. A scholarship provided funding for advanced studies at The British School in Rome. Austin developed a style of copperplate etching characterized by its extraordinary detail. In addition, he was a talented painter, water-colorist, and book illustrator.