Peter Elson
Peter Elson (13 January 1947 – March 1998) was an English science fiction illustrator whose work appeared on the covers of numerous science fiction paperback novels, as well as in the Terran Trade Authority series of illustrated books.
Peter Elson
- Born
- Peter Elson was born on 13 January 1947. · Ealing.
- Died
- Peter Elson died on 1 March 1998.
- Nationality
- United Kingdom
- Occupation
- illustrator · painter · cover artist
- Languages
- English
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Documentary summary
Peter Elson (13 January 1947 – March 1998) was an English science fiction illustrator whose work appeared on the covers of numerous science fiction paperback novels, as well as in the Terran Trade Authority series of illustrated books.
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Note VALÉORINE
Peter Elson (1947–1998) was a cover artist, illustrator and painter, of British nationality. The cover artist was born in Ealing and died in Skegness. Languages used include English.
Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 30 September 2026
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wikidata · Q2074693 · wikipedia · Peter Elson
In this article
Biography
Biography
Elson, whose illustrations often placed detailed, brightly liveried spacecraft against vividly coloured backgrounds, influenced an entire generation of science fiction illustrators and concept artists. The look of the PC game Homeworld was heavily influenced by Elson's illustrations of the '70s and '80s, according to artists who worked on the title (he is listed in the Special Thanks section of the game's manual and has a character, Captain Elson, named after him). Elson was originally slated to create the game's box art, but at the last moment was pre-empted by the publisher's decision to use a 3D rendered scene. Born in Ealing, west London, he died of a heart attack in Skegness while working on mural paintings for Butlins. Most of his original work is now owned by his sister.
Identity
Identity
Peter Elson is recorded with the occupation cover artist. Recorded as illustrator, painter and cover artist.
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 2 entries
1947
Peter Elson was born on 13 January 1947.
1998
Peter Elson died on 1 March 1998.
Places
Named by the record
Places
Only places the record itself states, plotted where the house gazetteer settles their coordinates. Nothing is inferred from a name or a nationality.
Peter Elson was born at Ealing.
Birthplace
Ealing.
Birth place
Primary material
Documents and archives
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q2074693: Peter Elson
General reference · Wikidata
reference work
- “Peter Elson”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
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References
Citations
References
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authority record
Secondary witnessreference work
Secondary witness
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 17 August 2026.
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