Jessie Willcox Smith

Jessie Willcox Smith (1863-1935) is considered one of the greatest children's book illustrators of all time and is often compared to Mary Cassatt for her enduring portrayals of children. She illustrated more than 60 books, including those for Louisa May Alcott, R.L. Stevenson, and H.W. Longfellow.

Smith was born in Philadelphia and lived most of her life in the city. She trained to be a kindergarten teacher but found the work too physically demanding. She attended the Philadelphia School of Design for Women and in 1885-1888 attended the PAFA, working under Thomas Eakins and Thomas Anshutz. In 1894, smith enrolled in Howard Pyle's first illustration class at Drexel Institute, which was nearly 50% women. Like fellow illustrators Alice Barber Stephens and Charlotte Harding, Smith had a studio on Chestnute Street with Violet Oakley, Elizabeth Shippen Green, and Henrietta Cozens. The group became known as The Red Rose Girls. She was also a member of The Plastics Club.

Smith worked for Ladies Home Journal, Century Magazine, Colliers, Harper's, Scribner's, and Good Housekeeping. Readership of these periodicals was largely women.

-Cynthia Cormier, Director of Education

April 2020