Rackham quietly began his career as an office clerk in Westminster to work his way through school at the Lambeth School of Art. Through a series of promotions and job opportunities, Rackham decided to leave the Lambeth School and focus on his art career. He worked as a journalist and illustrator for several newspapers and magazines to develop his artistic style. Over the following years Rackham won several prestigious awards, including a gold medal at the Milan International Exhibition and a 1st Class Medal at the Barcelona International Exhibition. Rackham's unique and detailed style attracted publishers and he was often commissioned to illustrate children's books. Although Rackham illustrated several original stories, he became famous for illustrating classic children's literature and breathing new life into the stories through his illustrations. Rackam's work is known worldwide and continues to influence today's artists.