George Mackley (1900 - 1983) trained as a teacher of art at the Goldsmiths' College, London, specialising particularly in engraving and etching. Later while teaching obtained private tuition in wood engraving from Noel Rooke at Central School of Arts and Crafts. It was not until the 1930's that George Mackley began to focus on wood engraving as his preferred technique. His production was amongst the finest examples of white-line wood engraving of the post-war era. A stoke in 1968 prevented him continuing his output. Inspired by the work of Agnes Miller Parker, he concentrated on views of the riverside, his engravings having a crispness and economy of line. Member of SWE, RE and Art Workers’ Guild.

Upon his death, Mackley's work was gifted to fellow engraver, Monica Poole. In turn, Poole gifted the collection to Laurence Lee.