Moser, Barry

Barry Moser was born October 15, 1940, in Chattanooga, Tenn. As he grew up he rebelled against the strictures of his southern, male-oriented family and their notion that art was not a man's job. He attended military school from seventh through twelfth grade, where he learned discipline and orderliness, but also developed a distrust of authority of any kind. Eventually he became an artist, illustrator, author, educator and lecturer. He has illustrated a large number of books, including classics involving characters such as Frankenstein, Br'er Rabbit, Moby Dick, Huck Finn, Sherlock Holmes, and the Wizard of Oz. Some critics feel his illustrative work is too somber and cold, but it has also been called powerful and profound. As a writer he is noted for clear, straightforward prose, and in both is written and illustrative material he shows a delightful sense of humor. He has received a number of honors and awards for his work. Biographical Sources: Something About the Author, vols. 56, 79, 138 Something About the Author Autobiography Series, vol. 15 Children's Literature Review vol. 49

From the guide to the Barry Moser Papers, 198501996, (University of Minnesota Libraries Children's Literature Research Collections [clrc])

Barry Moser was born in Tennessee in 1940. He attended college at Auburn University, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and did graduate work at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst . Educated as a painter, Moser took an interest in wood engraving and his first engravings appeared in 1968. He also took an interest in book design, and had illustrated and designed over 100 books before turning to watercolors and children's literature in 1987. Moser won the American Book Award in 1983 for his engravings and design for Alice in Wonderland . Editions published under Moser's private imprint, the Pennyroyal Press, are prized by collectors.

Since 1987, Moser has illustrated and designed a wide range of children's books, totalling close to 200 books for his career. Moser has worked with a wide variety of publishers and authors, but as a book designer he takes a leading role in selecting the type and layout for his books, in addition to providing the illustrations. Moser has also written several books on his own and has also adapted a number of classic children's stories. He has even co-written a series of books with his youngest granddaughter about the family pets.

Moser now lives near Northampton, Massachusetts, and works at home. He enjoys spending time with his dogs and his grandchildren when not at work, but he continues to follow an aggressive schedule. He is currently completing the design of an edition of the Bible that will feature 400 original illustrations.

From the guide to the Barry Moser Papers., 1968-1998., (Archives & Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center .)

Biography

Moser was born on October 15, 1940 in Chattanooga, Tennessee; became a graphic artist and printmaker; attended Auburn University; studied with George Cress at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, and with Leonard Baskin and Jack Coughlin; head of studio art, Williston Northampton School (1967-82), and beginning in 1990, with the Rhode Island School of Design; exhibited in one-man shows at the Berkshire Museum (1973) and the Boston Athenaeum (1976); also exhibited at the Los Angeles National Print Show (1974) and the Library of Congress National Print Exhibit (1975-76); worked in ink and wood, and illustrated many books; member, American Printing History Association, and winner of American Book Award.

From the guide to the Barry Moser Wood Engraving Blocks and Prints, ca. 1984, (University of California, Los Angeles. Library. Department of Special Collections.)

Biography

Vance Studley is the printer and designer for Barry Moser's Pennyroyal Press. Barry Moser (b. 1940) is an award winning artist who has illustrated over 300 books, including Moby-Dick, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, and the Caxton Bible . He currently is faculty at the Rhode Island School of Design and Smith College.

From the guide to the Vance Studley collection of Barry Moser Prints, 1976-2006, (University of California, Los Angeles. Library. Department of Special Collections.)