Alice Barber was born on a farm near Salem, New Jersey, where she attended local schools. The family moved to Philadelphia, and by 1873 she was a full time student at the Philadelphia School of Design for Women (now Moore College of Art). There she became proficient at engraving, an important skill in the days before photo-mechanical reproduction. In 1876, she enrolled at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, where she studied under Thomas Eakins. Among her classmates was Emily Sartain. Financial considerations finally forced Barber to turn to full-time engraving, but by 1885, the long hours and close work affected her health. She turned to pen and ink drawing, and was soon supporting hers...