Eugene Winslow facts for kids

Eugene Winslow (born November 17, 1919 – died 2001) was an American artist, illustrator, and a smart businessman. He also worked as a publisher. He helped start a company called Afro-Am Publishing in Chicago, Illinois. In 2000, the DuSable Museum of African-American History in Chicago honored him. They recognized him as one of seven important black design pioneers in the city.

Early Life and Learning

Eugene Winslow was born on November 17, 1919, in Dayton, Ohio. His parents were both college graduates. They really wanted all seven of their children to go to school and learn about art.

Eugene went to Froebel High School in Gary, Indiana. After that, he earned a special degree from Dillard University in New Orleans in 1943.

Serving His Country

After college, Eugene joined the Air Force. He became part of the 477th Bomber Group. This made him one of the famous Tuskegee Airmen. These were brave African-American military pilots and airmen who fought in World War II. Eugene became a Second Lieutenant. He later served in the Air Force Reserve and became a First Lieutenant before leaving in 1957.

Art Studies After the War

Eugene always loved art. After the war, he continued his art studies in Chicago. He went to the Art Institute of Chicago and the Institute of Design at the Illinois Institute of Technology. He studied at both places from 1948 to 1951.

To earn money, Eugene also worked as a teacher. He drew cartoons for newspapers. He also designed ads and drew plans for engineers.

Starting Afro-Am Publishing

In 1963, Eugene Winslow and two friends started Afro-Am Publishing. This company allowed him to create his own projects. David P. Ross, who also studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, became the president. Eugene was the treasurer and later the vice president.

Great Negroes Past and Present

Also in 1963, Afro-Am Publishing released a very important book. It was called Great Negroes Past and Present. Eugene Winslow drew all the pictures for this book. The book came out during a celebration of 100 years since slavery ended in the U.S.

The book was a huge hit right away. It became a key book for Black Studies programs in schools. By 1972, it was in its third edition. Schools in California even used it for their social studies classes.

Leading the Company

In 1978, Eugene Winslow became the president of Afro-Am Publishing. As president, he changed how the company sold its books. Instead of selling directly, they started using mail-order catalogs. These catalogs listed hundreds of educational materials about black history and culture. He sent these catalogs to teachers, schools, and libraries.

While he was president, Eugene also wrote his own book. It was called Afro-Americans '76: Black Americans in the Founding of Our Nation. He also helped write other books about African-American history. Eugene sold the publishing company in 1993. He passed away in 2001.

His Work Lives On

Eugene Winslow's important papers are kept in special collections. One collection is at the Chicago Public Library. It includes newspaper articles, photos, his sketches, and early drafts of his work for Great Negroes Past and Present.

Another collection of his papers is at the University of Illinois at Chicago. These collections help people learn about his life. They show his work as an artist and his time at Afro-Am Publishing.