Barry Gurbutt was born in Louth in Lincolnshire on 13 January 1933. Educated in Lincoln, he did National Service before going to art school. After graduation he began working as a graphic designer and illustrator, first at a Peterborough advertising agency, and then at Perkins Engines Peterborough
Gurbutt became a freelance illustrator in 1964, working on children’s educational books. He also drew cartoons, and worked freelance for the Sunday Telegraph, with many of his cartoons being syndicated in the USA. His cartoons also appeared in the Money Mail. In the 1970’s Gurbutt also drew cartoons for the Peterborough Evening Telegraph.
In 1976 Gurbutt wrote and illustrated the children’s book “Paper”. His cartoons have also appeared in the Daily Telegraph, Sunday Express, Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror, Daily Sketch, Sunday People, London Evening Standard, Week-end, Garden News, Angling Times and various house journals.