kids encyclopedia robot

Paul Bransom facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Plate facing page 52, An Argosy of Fables
An amazing illustration by Paul Bransom from An Argosy of Fables

Paul Bransom (born July 1885 – died July 19, 1979) was a talented American artist. He was known for his paintings, cartoons, and especially his illustrations of animals.

About Paul Bransom

Paul Bransom was born in Washington, D.C. As a child, he loved to draw animals. He would sketch the creatures he saw in his own backyard. He also visited the National Zoo often to draw the animals there.

When he was just 13 years old, Paul started his first job. He worked as a technical draftsman for the U.S. Patent Office. This means he drew detailed plans and designs for new inventions.

In 1903, Paul moved to New York City. There, he worked for a newspaper called the New York Evening Journal. He drew a comic strip called The Latest News from Bugville from 1903 to 1912.

Becoming a Wildlife Artist

After moving to New York, Paul's amazing talent for drawing wildlife became clear. He spent a lot of time at the Bronx Zoo. He studied the animals there very carefully to make his drawings realistic.

His first big jobs included creating covers for Saturday Evening Post magazine. He also illustrated famous children's books. These included Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories and Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows.

Paul Bransom received a special award called the Benjamin West Clinedinst Memorial Medal. His artwork is also kept in the National Museum of American Illustration in Newport, Rhode Island.

Paul lived in New York City from 1906 until he passed away. He died on July 19, 1979, while visiting Quakertown, Pennsylvania. He was almost 94 years old.

Paul Bransom's Artworks

SaturdayEveningPost14Mar1925
A Saturday Evening Post cover illustrated by Paul Bransom (March 14, 1925)

Paul Bransom illustrated many popular books and magazines. Here are some of his well-known works:

  • The Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame (published in 1913)
  • An Argosy of Fables, edited by Frederic Taber Cooper (around 1921)
  • The Wild Heart, by Emma-Lindsay Squier (published in 1922)
  • Just So Stories, by Rudyard Kipling. Paul Bransom drew the front cover, inside pages, and title page for a 1932 edition.
  • He also created cover illustrations for The Country Gentleman magazine.
kids search engine
Paul Bransom Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.