He was an English artist notable for his book illustrations and book cover designs. His talent for design found early expression in the publication "Suggestions in Design ... for the Use of Artists and Art Workmen" (1852). This was a work that expounded Leighton's values and beliefs with regard to the history of design. He used the ornaments and designs repeatedly in the thirty years after its publication with regard to illustrations within books, and for many hundreds of drawings for book cover designs.Several works by the artist have been sold at auction, including 'Edwardian Woman Sitting in an Armchair Admiring a Floral Display' sold at John Moran Auctioneers, Inc. 'Antiques & Decorative Arts Auction' in 2011. There have been Several articles about John Leighton, including 'Art Fund brings Sir Denis Mahon's 57 Italian Baroque masterpieces into the collections of six UK museums' written for ArtDaily in 2013. The artist died in 1912.