Frank Earle Schoonover

(b New Jersey, 1877; d Delaware, 1972) American Illustrator. Known as the “Dean of Delaware Artists”, Schoonover studied under the preeminent American illustrator Howard Pyle at the Drexel Institute in Philadelphia and at Pyle’s summer program in Chad’s Ford on the Brandywine River. He remained very close to Pyle throughout his career, which blossomed as his illustrations were published in a number of magazines and children’s books. Seeking inspiration for his work Schoonover went on long trips, immersing himself in the settings he was to depict. In particular he spent a great deal of time “Out West”, gathering material for the frontier scenes for which he is most famous. Notable works include illustrations for such disparate publications as Clarence E. Mulford’s cowboy series Hopalong Cassidy and Edgar Rice Burroughs’ science fiction novel A Princess of Mars. Ultimately Schoonover followed in the steps of his mentor and established a school of his own. He was also influential in establishing the Delaware Art Museum.