Bell, Corydon, 1894-1980

Born in Ohio in 1894, Corydon Bell began drawing as a child. In addition to creating book and magazine illustrations, Bell was a painter and an author in his own right.

From the description of Corydon Bell papers, 1950-1965 [manuscript]. (University of Southern Mississippi, Regional Campus). WorldCat record id: 748823103

Corydon Bell was born on July 16, 1894 in Ohio. After serving in the Army Medical Corps during World War I he decided against furthering his medical training and devoted himself to art. He married author Thelma Harrington on May 12, 1921. They settled in Ohio and he illustrated books and advertisements before moving to the mountains of North Carolina in 1944. In North Carolina he continued to illustrate children's books, including his wife's, in addition to painting his Cherokee neighbors and the environment. The natural world inspired many of his books, including The Wonder of Snow (1957) and, with his wife Thelma, Thunderstorm (1960). He wrote and illustrated John Rattling-Gourd of Big Cove (1955), a collection of Cherokee legends, after learning the legends from Cherokee on the Qualla Reservation. It was the first time the legends had been printed since the 1890s. He died in June of 1980.

From the description of Corydon Bell illustrations, 1954. (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 774383516