Edmund Dulac was born in Toulouse, France in 1882. He initially studied law but later pursued art at the École des Beaux-Arts. Moving to London in the early 20th century, he established himself as a prominent illustrator and designer. Dulac received his first major commission in 1905 to illustrate novels by the Brontë Sisters, work that helped establish his reputation. During World War I, he produced relief books. As the deluxe children's book market declined after the war, he diversified his career, taking on magazine illustrations and other projects. During World War II, Dulac designed banknotes and continued his work in stamp design. He became particularly noted for designing postage stamps that marked the beginning of Queen Elizabeth II's reign. He was naturalised as a British citizen and remained active in his work until his death in London in 1953.