Bob Hines

Born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1912, Robert W. "Bob" Hines became one of America's best-known wildlife artists. He built his skills from hands-on experience in the outdoors and went on to spend decades creating art connected to conservation and natural history.

Hines worked first for the Ohio Division of Conservation and Natural Resources and later for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, where he served from 1948 until 1981. Sources describe him as the only person in that agency's history to hold the title of National Wildlife Artist, and his work reached a huge public through books, pamphlets, stamps, and educational materials.

He is especially remembered for designing the 1946 Federal Duck Stamp, helping create the first U.S. postage stamps featuring American wildlife, and illustrating work connected with Rachel Carson. He died in 1994, leaving behind a legacy that joined art, public education, and care for the natural world.