Smith, Jessie Willcox, 1863-1935

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Jessie Willcox Smith was born in Philadelphia in 1863. She originally studied to be a kindergarten teacher and actually served in that capacity before accidentally discovering a propensity for drawing. She's one of the few illustrators I've profiled who wasn't an astonishing child prodigy. She was probably around 20 before she took up a pencil. Initial studies were quickly replaced with formal courses at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts where she learned from Thomas Eakins, and others. She graduated in 1888 and began a long, distinguished career. Her earliest work appeared in the monthly magazine for children, St. Nicholas. She died in her sleep in 1935. She was America's premier female illustrator during most of her life.Biographical Source: http://www.bpib.com/illustrat/jwsmith.htm , 2008.

From the description of Jessie Willcox Smith Papers n.d. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 471786488

Illustrator; Philadelphia, Pa.

Was famous for her "Good Housekeeping" covers and book illustrations and a native Philadelphian. Attended the Moore College of Art, the Pennsylvania Academy and studied under Howard Pyle at Drexel. It was in Pyle's class that Smith met Violet Oakley and Elizabeth Shippen Green who became life long friends and with whom she shared a home and studios. Exhibited at the Academy's Annuals and was awarded several prizes.

From the description of Jessie Willcox Smith papers, 1901-1931. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 78817083

Jessie Willcox Smith was born in Philadelphia in 1863. She originally studied to be a kindergarten teacher and actually served in that capacity before accidentally discovering a propensity for drawing. She's one of the few illustrators I've profiled who wasn't an astonishing child prodigy. She was probably around 20 before she took up a pencil. Initial studies were quickly replaced with formal courses at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts where she learned from Thomas Eakins, and others. She graduated in 1888 and began a long, distinguished career. Her earliest work appeared in the monthly magazine for children, St. Nicholas . She died in her sleep in 1935. She was America's premier female illustrator during most of her life.

Biographical Source: http://www.bpib.com/illustrat/jwsmith.htm, 2008

From the guide to the Jessie Willcox Smith Papers, n.d., (University of Minnesota Libraries Children's Literature Research Collections [clrc])

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Oakley, Thornton, 1881-1953. Thornton Oakley collection of Howard Pyle and his students, 1841-1992 1887-1951. Free Library of Philadelphia, Parkway Central Library
referencedIn Ohio State University. Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum. Jessie Wilcox Smith biographical file. Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn Houghton Mifflin Company contracts, 1831-1979 (inclusive) 1880-1940 (bulk). Houghton Library
creatorOf Marshall, Alice Kahler,. Women illustrators and photographers graphics collection, 1800-1987. Penn State Harrisburg Library
creatorOf Smith, Jessie Willcox, 1863-1935. Artist file. Brooklyn Museum Libraries & Archives
referencedIn Houghton Mifflin Company correspondence and records, 1832-1944. Houghton Library
referencedIn American war posters from the First World War, circa 1914-circa 1919, bulk 1917-1919 Bancroft Library
creatorOf Boyd, Jeanne, 1890-1968. Song settings from A child's world : (a series of pictures by Jessie Willcox Smith). The light ; The fairy pool / the verses by Veta Thorpe ; the music by Jeanne Boyd. University of Michigan
referencedIn Betsy Beinecke Shirley collection of American children's literature, 1640-2001 Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Lovell, Tom, 1909-1997. Tom Lovell papers, circa 1845-1997. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
referencedIn Cozens, Henrietta. Henrietta Cozens papers, 1889-1956 (bulk 1901-1938). Bryn Mawr College, Mariam Coffin Canaday Library
creatorOf Jessie Willcox Smith Papers, n.d. University of Minnesota Libraries Children's Literature Research Collections
creatorOf Stokes, Katherine Martin, 1906-. Katherine M. Stokes letters received, 1933. Pennsylvania State University Libraries
creatorOf Jessie Willcox Smith papers Archives of American Art
referencedIn Thornton Oakley collection of Howard Pyle and his students, Bulk, 1887-1951, 1841-1992 Free Library of Philadelphia: Rare Book Department
creatorOf Alice Barber Stephens papers Archives of American Art
creatorOf Smith, Jessie Willcox, 1863-1935. Jessie Willcox Smith Papers n.d. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
referencedIn Smith, Jessie Wilcox : [miscellaneous ephemeral material]. Metropolitan Museum of Art, Thomas J. Watson Library
referencedIn Elizabeth Shippen Green Elliott papers Archives of American Art
creatorOf Smith, Jessie Willcox, 1863-1935. Artist file. Brooklyn Museum Libraries & Archives
creatorOf Century Magazine letters Archives of American Art
referencedIn Haywood, Carolyn, 1898-1990. Carolyn Haywood papers, 1884-1991. Free Library of Philadelphia, Parkway Central Library
referencedIn Speer Family Papers, Bulk, 1883-1943, 1802-1982 Bryn Mawr College
referencedIn Violet Oakley papers Archives of American Art
creatorOf Smith, Jessie Willcox, 1863-1935. [Portraits and landscapes] [picture]. Haverford College Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Boyd, Jeanne, 1890-1968. person
associatedWith Century illustrated monthly magazine. corporateBody
associatedWith Cozens, Henrietta. person
associatedWith Elliott, Elizabeth Shippen Green. person
associatedWith Haywood, Carolyn, 1898-1990. person
associatedWith Houghton Mifflin Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Lovell, Tom, 1909-1997. person
associatedWith Marshall, Alice Kahler, person
associatedWith Oakley, Thornton, 1881-1953. person
associatedWith Oakley, Violet, 1874-1961. person
associatedWith Shirley, Betsy Beinecke. person
associatedWith Stephens, Alice Barber, 1858-1932. person
associatedWith Stokes, Katherine Martin, 1906- person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
Subject
Illustrators
Women artists
Occupation
Artists
Activity

Person

Birth 1863-09-06

Death 1935-05-03

Americans

Information

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