Wilfrid Swancourt Bronson

Who was Wilfrid Swancourt Bronson?

Wilfrid Swancourt Bronson was born in Chicago, IL. Following his service in the U.S. Army during the first World War, he worked as a mural painter’s assistant in several studios in New York City. In the 1930s and 40s he painted murals for the Works Progress Administration. Bronson accompanied four scientific marine expeditions as a staff artist, resulting in the creation of numerous nature books for children. His expedition paintings were presented to the Peabody Museum at Yale University.

Bronson wrote his first book at the age of eight. Called Animal People, it started: "This book is for children who are interested in animals and birds. It has verey good pictures in it and children can understand it verey easily." He later learned to spell and wrote and illustrated many books for children with "verey good pictures" that they could understand.

He wrote and illustrated all of his publications.