Fifth Grade
Worksheets
Robert Lawson
Robert Lawson was an American artist, illustrator, and author. While he wrote for children, his books have been enjoyed by people of all ages. His illustrations and art work have as well.
Mr. Lawson was born in New York on October 4, 1892. He grew up and went to school in New Jersey. As a child, Mr. Larson loved to read. He read many kinds of books. But it wasn't until high school that he began to show an interest in art. After finishing high school, his mom urged him to enter the New York School of Fine and Applied Art. Mr. Lawson did. He studied art there for three years.
Mr. Lawson's career as an illustrator began in 1914 when his first illustration was published in a national magazine. Then he began to illustrate other writers' books. The publishers really liked his art work. They liked it so much that they asked him to illustrate even more books. The publishers asked Robert what kind of book he would like to illustrate next. Mr. Lawson had a great idea! He wanted to create the drawings for a book about an historical figure and one of his animal friends. He outlined the story for Ben and Me. Then he sent it back to the publishing company. The company loved his idea! But they didn't know an author who could write it. The publishers told Mr. Lawson that he would have to write the book and illustrate it. So he did! Ben and Me was published in 1939. It was a huge hit! Mr. Lawson soon used this new style to write about other historical figures. He wrote a story about Christopher Columbus. He also wrote one about Paul Revere and another about the pirate Captain Kidd.
