Lynd Ward

Lynd Kendall Ward was an American printmaker, illustrator and novelist, born in Chicago, Illinois. He is best known for his book illustrations, particularly his wordless novels (a precursor to the modern graphic novels), which he illustrated with woodcuts and wood engravings. His early works were heavily influenced by the Art Deco movement. 

Ward's first wordless novel was "Gods' Man" in 1929, a Faustian story in which a desperate artist sells his soul for a magical paintbrush. He created five other wordless novels over the next decade. Ward also illustrated a number of classic novels and contemporary children’s books, including "The Cat Who Went to Heaven" (1930) by Elizabeth Coatsworth, which won the Newbery Medal in 1931. His own children's book "The Biggest Bear" won the Caldecott Medal for illustration in 1953. In 1973 his wordless novel "The Silver Pony" won the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award, was a Boston Globe – Horn Picture Book Honor book and was named a New York Times Best-Illustrated Children's Books.

Ward served as the president of the Society of American Graphic Artists from 1953 to 1959. He was awarded the Library of Congress award for wood engraving in 1948 and a National Academy of Design award in 1949.