Harry Behn
Harry Behn (1898-1973) was an American author, poet, and illustrator, born in Yavapai County, Arizona. His artistic talent emerged early, with drawings published in St. Nicholas Magazine when he was just six years old. After graduating from Harvard University in 1922, Behn traveled extensively in the American West, drawing inspiration from landscapes like the Grand Canyon and Glacier National Park for his paintings. He became a member of the Blackfoot tribe during his travels and later worked in the film industry as a scenario writer while also teaching writing at the University of Arizona. Behn is best known for his children's literature, notably the novel "The Faraway Lurs" (1963), and he wrote and translated poetry, including haiku, for young audiences. His artistic contributions extended to illustrating many of his own books, earning him recognition in graphic arts. Behn's papers and manuscripts are housed at the University of Minnesota, reflecting his significant legacy in children's literature and art. He passed away in Greenwich, Connecticut, on September 6, 1973.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Harry Behn
Writer
- Born: September 24, 1898
- Birthplace: Near Prescott, Yavapai County, Arizona
- Died: September 6, 1973
- Place of death: Greenwich, Connecticut
Biography
Harry (Henry) Behn was born in Yavapai County, Arizona, near the city of Prescott, on September 24, 1898. Although his early childhood years were spent in mining camps, his illustrating and painting skills were evident at an early age; in 1904, when Behn was only six years old, his drawings were published in St. Nicholas Magazine. After graduating from Phoenix High School, Behn worked as a travelogue cameraman while continuing to paint and write. He also did artwork for the Public Works Art Project.
In 1922, Behn graduated with a S.B. from Harvard University. His first book of poetry, Siesta, was published in 1931. Throughout this time and for most of the rest of his life, Behn traveled extensively across the American West, chiefly researching subjects for his painting of areas such as the Grand Canyon and Glacier National Park. While visiting the latter, Behn was invited to become a member of the Blackfoot tribe of Native Americans.
Behn later worked as a motion picture scenario writer in Los Angeles, primarily with King Vidor’s films, and taught writing at the University of Arizona from 1938 to 1947. At the urging of his own children, he continued to write and translate poetry for children, especially haiku, and also began writing fiction for young adults, maintaining what one critic termed “a thread of transcendentalism” in all his work. Probably his most famous fiction for older children is The Faraway Lurs (1963). Behn also illustrated many of his own books and received several graphic arts awards.
Many of the papers, clippings, manuscripts, illustrations, and teaching materials from the last four decades of Behn’s life, which focus on his work as children’s book author and illustrator, are collected at the University of Minnesota. After spending his last years in Greenwich, Connecticut, Behn died on September 6, 1973.