Sir John Tenniel ( 28 February, 1820 – 25 February, 1914) was an English illustrator.
He drew many topical cartoons and caricatures for Punch in the late 19th century, but is best remembered today for his illustrations in Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass.
In 1865 he illustrated the first edition of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. The first print run of 2,000 was shelved because Tenniel objected to the print quality; a new edition, released in December of the same year but carrying an 1866 date, was quickly printed and became an instant best-seller, securing Tenniel's lasting fame in the process. His illustrations for both books have taken their place among the most famous literary illustrations ever made. They were used as a reference for the costumes in Disney's Alice in Wonderland, and Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland.
Tenniel's illustrations for the 'Alice' books were engraved onto blocks of wood, to be printed in the woodcut process. The original wood blocks are now in the collection of the Bodleian Library in Oxford. They are not usually on public display, but were exhibited in 2003.