Wallace Morgan was born in New York City in 1873 and grew up in Albany NY where his father was an art teacher. After graduating from high school, Morgan attended the National Academy of Design and supported his education with a part-time job as a sketch artist for the New York Sun.

After six years of study, Morgan accepted a full-time position with the old New York Herald and Telegram. At the Herald, Morgan was known for his commitment to realism and often went out on location with reporters and detectives to make sure that his illustrations were faithful representations of current events.

After 11 years with the Herald, Morgan opened his own New York studio where he created illustrations that appeared in American newspapers, books, and magazines for half a century. During WWI Morgan was one of eight professional artists embedded with the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) and assigned to document the war effort.

After the war, Morgan returned to his career as a freelance illustrator. His clients included:The New York Times Magazine, Collier’s, The New Yorker, and the Saturday Evening Post.

In addition, Morgan taught illustration classes at the Art Students League, was a member of the National Institute of Arts and Letters, an Associate of the National Academy of Design, and one of the founders of the NY Society of Illustrators where he served as President from 1929 – 1936.
Wallace Morgan died on April 24, 1948. He was elected to the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame in 1977.

Source: NY Times Obituary, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, and NY Society of Illustrators

Submitted by: Alice A. Carter