An illustrator of a popular boys adventure book series as well as a number of classics and magazine covers, Mead Schaeffer had a distinguished career as one of America's top magazine and book illustrators. His work, according to Walter Reed ("The Illustrator in America") "divides itself into two periods: the early one deals with romantic, swashbuckling and theatrical subjects. The second, although still strong and dramatic, is based on authentic, factual themes and is more reportorial."

He was born in Freedom Plains, New York and studied at Pratt institute and with Harvey Dunn and Dean Cornwell. He was regarded as a brilliant student who illustrated his first of seven "Golden Boy" books by L.P. Wyman in 1923 when he was twenty five. ...