Elmer Boyd Smith

Elmer Boyd Smith, born on May thirty-first, eighteen sixty, was a multifaceted American artist known for his contributions as a novelist, writer, illustrator, and painter. His early life began in Saint John, New Brunswick, where his artistic journey took root.

From eighteen eighty-one to eighteen eighty-four, Smith honed his craft in Paris, studying under renowned artists Gustave Boulanger and Jules Joseph Lefebvre at the prestigious Académie Julian. He also spent several years learning from H. Lefort, further enriching his artistic skills.

In the early twentieth century, Smith relocated to Wilton, Connecticut, where he would spend the rest of his life. His prolific career included illustrating over seventy books for both adults and children, with his first notable work, 'My Village,' published in eighteen ninety-six while he was still residing in France. He made a significant mark in children's literature with his first children's book, 'The Story of Noah's Ark,' released in nineteen oh five.