Howard Pyle

Pyle worked and taught in Delaware, where he was born and raised, and in Pennsylvania. Known as the "father of American illustration," he played a vital role in the formation of the Brandywine School, where his students included Harvey Dunn and N. C. Wyeth. He not only illustrated books but also wrote several, including the famous "Book of Pirates" and "Merry Adventures of Robin Hood". Pyle was deeply interested in Americana and dedicated much of his work to depictions of historical events, such as the Revolutionary and the Civil Wars, incorporating the elements of drama, theatricality, and human emotions and executed with careful attention to color, line, and tone. In this story from the colonial era, Pyle made use of his vast collection of period costumes and furnishings to add authenticity to his illustrations.