Charles Dana Gibson

Charles Dana Gibson (September 14, 1867 – December 23, 1944) was an American illustrator who created the Gibson Girl, a character that represented American woman at the turn of the 20th century.

He published his illustrations in Life magazine and other major national publications for more than 30 years, becoming editor in 1918 and later owner of the general interest magazine.

Early life

Gibson was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts, on September 14, 1867 to Josephine Elizabeth (née Lovett) and Charles DeWolf Gibson. He had five siblings.

His great-great-great-grandfather was the lawyer Richard Dana (1700–1772). The line continued through his daughter, Lydia Trowbridge Dana (1755–1808); her daughter, Frances Maria Hastings (1792–1872); and her son, Charles Dana Gibson (1816–1867), who was his paternal grandfather and namesake.

He was also a descendant of U.S. Senators James DeWolf and William Bradford.

A talented youth with an early interest in art, Gibson was enrolled by his parents in New York City's Art Students League, where he studied for two years.

Career

Peddling his pen-and-ink sketches, Gibson sold his first work in 1886 to Life magazine, founded by John Ames Mitchell and Andrew Miller. It featured general interest articles, humor, illustrations, and cartoons. His works appeared weekly in the popular national magazine for more than 30 years. He built a wider reputation, with his drawings being featured in New York publications, including Harper's Weekly, Scribner's and Collier's. His illustrated books include the 1898 editions of Anthony Hope's The Prisoner of Zenda and its sequel Rupert of Hentzau as well as Richard Harding Davis' Gallegher and Other Stories.