William Wallace Denslow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
W. W. Denslow
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Denslow sketching, 1900
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| Born | May 5, 1856 |
| Died | March 29, 1915 (aged 58) New York City, New York, U.S.
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| Nationality | American |
| Education | |
| Known for | Illustration |
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Notable work
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The Wonderful Wizard of Oz collaborations with L. Frank Baum |
William Wallace Denslow (born May 5, 1856 – died March 29, 1915), known as W. W. Denslow, was an American artist. He was famous for drawing pictures for books, especially for The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. He worked closely with the author L. Frank Baum. Denslow also drew cartoons for newspapers that often showed his interest in politics. Some people think his drawings for The Wonderful Wizard of Oz might have hidden political meanings.
Contents
About W. W. Denslow
Denslow was born in Philadelphia. His father sold tobacco. Denslow briefly studied art at the National Academy of Design and the Cooper Union in New York. However, he mostly taught himself how to draw and paint.
In the 1880s, Denslow traveled around the United States. He worked as an artist and a newspaper reporter. He came to Chicago for the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893. He liked Chicago so much that he decided to stay there.
Denslow first became known for creating posters. He also designed books and special bookplates. He was the first artist asked to work at the Roycroft Press, a famous publishing house.
Working with L. Frank Baum
Denslow might have met L. Frank Baum at the Chicago Press Club. Both men were members there. Besides The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Denslow also drew pictures for other books by Baum. These included By the Candelabra's Glare, Father Goose: His Book, and Dot and Tot of Merryland. Denslow and Baum shared the rights to most of these books.
Later, Denslow and Baum had a disagreement. This was about money from the 1902 stage show of The Wizard of Oz. Baum wrote the script for the play, and Denslow designed the sets and costumes. Denslow wanted an equal share of the money with Baum and the music composer. Because of this, Baum decided not to work with Denslow anymore.
Denslow's Other Works
After working with Baum, Denslow illustrated a book of classic nursery rhymes. It was called Denslow's Mother Goose (1901). He also illustrated Denslow's Night Before Christmas (1902). He created an 18-book series called Denslow's Picture Books (1903–04).
Denslow also used his rights to the art from Baum's books. He created newspaper comic strips. These strips featured characters like Father Goose, the Scarecrow, and the Tin Woodman. The strip was called Denslow's Scarecrow and the Tin Man. It was meant to promote a new story he was writing. He also created another comic strip called Billy Bounce. This strip was special because its main character had some kind of super powers.
The money Denslow earned from the books and the stage show of The Wizard of Oz was a lot. It allowed him to buy Bluck's Island, Bermuda. He even jokingly called himself King Denslow I of the island.
Denslow also wrote and illustrated a children's book. It was called The Pearl and the Pumpkin.
Death and Legacy
Denslow passed away on March 29, 1915. He died in the Knickerbocker Hospital in New York City. He was buried in an unmarked grave at Kensico Cemetery. There is a special memorial stone for him at Grove Street Cemetery.
In 2018, a project called "The Lost Art of Oz" began. Its goal is to find and list all the original drawings. These drawings were made by artists like W. W. Denslow for the Oz book series.
Images for kids
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The Black Sheep, from a 1901 edition of Mother Goose
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Denslow's illustration for "There was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe", from a 1901 edition of Mother Goose
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Dorothy meets the Cowardly Lion, from the first edition of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
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The footstone of William Wallace Denslow in Kensico Cemetery, showing his seahorse symbol and images of the Scarecrow and Tin Woodman.
