Frank Leslie (March 29, 1821 – January 10, 1880) was an English-born American engraver, illustrator, and publisher of family periodicals.

As a boy on his way to and from school, he passed a silversmith's shop whose workers he took a detailed interest in, especially those who engraved designs and letters upon various articles of silver and gold.

[3] At 17, he was sent to London to learn more about the glove-making business in the extensive dry goods establishment of his uncle, but every moment that could be snatched from the "dreary drudgery of the desk's dead wood" was surreptitiously devoted to sketching, drawing or engraving.

He contributed sketches to the Illustrated London News, signing them as Frank Leslie to insure his anonymity.

[5] Illustrations made by Leslie and his artists on the battlefield during the American Civil War are well regarded for their historical value.

Miriam Leslie wrote her book From Gotham to the Golden Gate telling the story of this trip.

[3] Frank Leslie accepted his last illustration (by Georgina A. Davis) in January 1880[9] and died the same month, the debts amounted to $300,000, and his will was contested.