Lynd Ward
Lynd Ward was a notable American artist and children's writer, renowned for his innovative approach to storytelling through woodcut illustrations. Born in Chicago in 1905 to a Methodist minister, Ward's upbringing influenced his artistic journey, as he turned to literature and illustrations in his youth. After studying fine arts at Columbia University, he honed his skills in Europe, particularly in wood engraving—a technique that would define his later works. Ward's groundbreaking novels, such as "God's Man," were unique as they relied solely on woodcuts to convey narrative, a significant departure from traditional text-based storytelling.
Throughout his career, Ward published several acclaimed children's books, including "Nic of the Woods" and "The Biggest Bear," the latter earning him the prestigious Randolph Caldecott Medal. His illustrations also graced works by other authors, winning him accolades like the Newbery Medal for "The Cat Who Went to Heaven." Over his lifetime, Ward received numerous honors for his contributions to children's literature, and his artwork remains part of esteemed collections at institutions like the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian. Ward's legacy endures as a pioneering figure in children's literature and illustration, celebrated for his ability to blend artistry with storytelling.
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Subject Terms
Lynd Ward
Author
- Born: June 26, 1905
- Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois
- Died: June 28, 1985
- Place of death: Reston, Virginia
Biography
Lynd Ward, a popular children’s writer, achieved distinction as an artist and a book illustrator. His experimental novels composed entirely of woodcut illustrations were an important contribution to children’s literature.
Ward was born in 1905 in Chicago, the son of a Methodist minister who campaigned for working-class rights. Ward’s family moved frequently, and he spent his childhood in Illinois, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. Denied access to most amusements, the young Ward embraced reading Bible stories and a circus story which were available to him. His delight in the illustrations in these books sparked his interest in art as a medium of communication.
After graduating from high school, Ward enrolled at the Teacher’s College of Columbia University in New York City. He graduated in 1926 with a B.S. in fine arts. The week he graduated from college, Ward married fellow student May McNeer and embarked on a tour of Europe. Their travels led them to Leipzig, Germany, where Ward enrolled in the National Academy for the Graphic Arts. There, Ward studied etching, engraving, and lithography. He took a particular interest in wood engraving, a practice that had been popular in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
In 1927, Ward and his wife returned to the United States where Ward began submitting portfolios of his work for publication. In 1929, his first book, God’s Man, featuring woodcut illustrations without words, was released. Ward continued producing novels composed entirely of woodcuts, publishing six such books between 1930 and 1974.
Ward also wrote and illustrated a number of other children’s books. His popular children’s titles included Nic of the Woods, The Silver Pony, and The Biggest Bear. He was awarded the Randolph Caldecott Medal for The Biggest Bear in 1953. Ward illustrated books for many authors, but his most notable illustrations appear in children’s stories. He received the Newbery Medal for illustrating The Cat Who Went to Heaven (1930), written by Elizabeth Coatsworth, and Johnny Tremain (1943), by Esther Forbes.
Ward received many prestigious awards for his work, including the Library of Congress Award for Wood Engraving, the National Academy of Design Award, the Distinguished Service Award for Outstanding Contributions to Children’s Literature, and the Regina Medal for Continued Distinguished Contributions to Children’s Literature. Many of his prints became part of permanent collections at the Library of Congress, Smithsonian Institution, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and other museums.