author
Palmer Cox
1840–1924
Best known for creating the Brownies, this Canadian-born writer and illustrator helped shape some of the most memorable children's imagery of the late 19th century. His playful verse and lively drawings made tiny fairy-like characters feel full of motion, humor, and heart.
4 Audiobooks
The Brownies: Their Book
by Palmer Cox
Another Brownie Book
by Palmer Cox
Frontier Humor in Verse, Prose and Picture
by Palmer Cox
About the author
Born in Granby, Quebec, on April 28, 1840, Palmer Cox became famous as an illustrator and author whose best-loved creations were the Brownies, a band of mischievous but good-natured little sprites. Their adventures appeared in humorous verse books and comic strips, and they won a huge audience on both sides of the border.
Cox spent part of his early career in San Francisco before settling in New York, where his work reached a wide magazine and book readership. He both wrote and illustrated his stories, giving the Brownies a distinct look that made them instantly recognizable.
The Brownies became a cultural phenomenon and remained closely tied to Cox's name for the rest of his life. He died on July 24, 1924, leaving behind a body of work that helped define children's illustrated publishing in its era.