Bronson, Wilfrid S. (Wilfrid Swancourt), 1894-1985

Wilfrid Swancourt Bronson began as a mural painter's assistant in New York. He later worked as an artist on four scientific marine expeditions, where he got the ideas that resulted in his nature books for young people. Bronson also illustrated books by other authors.

From the description of Wilfrid S. Bronson papers, 1935-1969. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 63280406

Wilfrid S. (Swancourt) Bronson was born October 24, 1894 in Chicago, IL, where his father, Frank Melville Bronson, was professor of Greek at Chicago University. His mother was Ann Goddard West.

He attended the Art Institute of Chicago and by 1917 was living with his sister, Hilda Bronson Farnsworth, in Richford, Tioga Co., NY. He filled out his draft registration card on May 29, 1917 in Tioaga County and served in World War I.

After the war, he resided in New York City and worked as a mural painter's assistant. He accompanied several scientific marine expeditions as a staff artist, and his first book, Fingerfins, the Tale of a Sargasso Fish was published in 1930

The last of the nineteen books he wrote was Dogs: Breeds for Young People, published in 1969. He also contributed many articles, always about animals, to journals and collaborated in writing several other books.

His wife, Sonia Joseph Bronson, was from Russia. They had no children. Bronson died April 23, 1985 in Milford, PA. He was age 90.

Biographical information provided by Ann Lounsbery Owens, June 2008, relative of the artist.

From the guide to the Wilfrid S. Bronson Papers, 1935-1975, (University of Minnesota Libraries Children's Literature Research Collections [clrc])