Garth Williams, American Illustrator: A Life, (Hardcover)

Open the pages of so many children's classics and get a glimpse into the life of Garth Williams, the artist that sparked the imagination of generations.

Stuart Little, Charlotte's Web, The Rescuers, are just a few books that Williams' beautiful illustrations brought to life. Born in New York in 1912, he was educated in England and returned to the States in the 1940s, encountering a vibrant art and cultural scene. He married four times throughout his life, living in different cities and countries over the years, and met many people who shaped and exemplified the 20th century: Winston Churchill, E.B. White, and many more.

This is the story of how Williams' journey took him from winning awards for his sculptures in London, to capturing the essence of frontier life in the American West, to rendering the humanity of beloved characters. A contrast to the rapid suburbanization of the post-war era, Williams' illustrations nurtured a connection with the natural world and a disappearing rural lifestyle. By tapping into American themes, his work speaks to the postwar desire yearning for simplicity.

Complete with more than 60 illustrations, this is the first full biography of Garth Williams written with the help and cooperation of his family.