Early Life and Education George Strickland Kingston (August 23, 1807 – November 26, 1880) was born in Bandon, County Cork, Ireland—one of five children of George Kingston and Hester Holland. His father, a lumberyard owner, instilled in him an appreciation for craftsmanship and precision, shaping his future artistic pursuits. Strickland’s upbringing amidst the burgeoning industrial landscape of Cork fostered a keen interest in engineering and exploration. He emigrated to England in 1832, securing employment in Birmingham where he honed his skills as a civil engineer—a profession that would pr…