On this day, February 27, 1837, illustrator and author Francesca (Esther Frances) Alexander was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Her family moved to Florence, Italy when she was 16. Soon she was translating Tuscan songs and stories. These were published as the Roadside Songs of Tuscany in 1884-85. Her book Tuscan Songs was published in 1897.
On this day, February 26, 1953, comic book writer and illustrator David E. Boswell was born in Ontario, Canada. After his studies at Oakville’s Sheridan College, Boswell began drawing cartoons and comics. His underground comix Reid Fleming, World’s Toughest Milkman is based on a childhood bully.
On this day, February 25, 1961, illustrator Violet Oakley died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. From a family of artists, Oakley studied at the Art Students League of New York, briefly at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and then with Howard Pyle at Drexel Institute. She had a successful career as a magazine illustrator and also
On this day, February 24, 1921, sci fi illustrator Richard M. Powers was born in Chicago, Illinois. He studied art at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, at the University of Illinois in Chicago, and at the University of Kentucky while in basic training for the U. S. Army. After service during WWII, Powers
On this day, February 23, 1890, pulp illustrator Raymond Albert Burley was born in Ainsworth, Nebraska. Burley moved to New York City in 1916 and worked as an illustrator. He served in the infantry in WWI. Burley then studied at the Art Students League in New York and in the 20s he began selling illustrations to
On this day, February 22, 1987, illustrator and artist Andy Warhol died in New York City. Warhol studied commercial art at the Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburg. In 1949, Warhol moved to New York City and began working at a magazine and newspaper illustrator. Warhol also created illustrations for some cookbooks and for The Little
On this day, February 21, 1974, painter, children’s book author and illustrator James Henry Daugherty died. He studied at the Corcoran School of Art and later with Frank Brangwyn in London. Daugherty produced posters during WWI and after wrote and illustrated several children’s books., one Daniel Boone won the Newbery Medal. His illustrations for Elkin’s Gillespie
On this day, February 20, 1900, pulp illustrator Newton H. Alfred was born in Attleboro, Massachusetts. Alfred served in WWI and then studied art at the Rhode Island School of Design and at the Art Students League in New York. In the 30s Alfred created illustrations for The National Guardsman Magazine and drew comic book illustrations.
On this day, February 19, 1972, animator writer and artist Tedd (Edward Stacey, III) Pierce died in California. He spent most of his career working for Warner Brothers animation studio, Termite Terrace. During his career, Pierce contributed to Tom and Jerry, Bugs Bunny, and even provided voice work when needed.
On this day, February 18, 1931, writer and cartoonist Johnny (John Lewis) Hart was born in Endicott, New York. His work was first published in Stars and Stripes when he served in Korea in the Air Force. By 1953 Hart was having cartoon published in major magazines. His strip B.C. began appearing in 1958 and The