Sculptor John Bernard Flannagan was born in North Dakota; after his father's death, he and his brothers were placed in an orphanage for five years while his mother trained as a nurse. The separation, coupled with the death of a younger brother, caused Flannagan to cut ties with his family and move to New York to become an artist. He served in the Merchant Marine, worked odd jobs, developed as an artist, and eventually devoted himself to sculpture. He developed a naturalistic style, using native field stone and direct carving with simple tools, that gave his work an elemental quality, especially in smaller themed pieces of animals and people. Bouts with depression and alcoholism led to a pair of debilitating automobile accidents; unable to carve in his preferred style, he committed suicide in January 1942.
From the description of Mrs. John B. Flannagan letter to Mr. Hyslop about letters of John B. Flannagan, 1942 April 7. (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 70901331
