W. W. (William Wallace) Denslow

William Wallace Denslow (1856–1915) was an American illustrator, caricaturist, poster artist, and cartoonist. Born in Philadelphia, he studied briefly at the National Academy of Design and Cooper Union but was largely self-taught. After traveling through the United States as an artist and newspaper reporter, he settled in Chicago following the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition.

Denslow is best remembered for his collaboration with L. Frank Baum, especially his illustrations for The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. He also illustrated Father Goose: His Book, By the Candelabra’s Glare, and Dot and Tot of Merryland, and created popular works such as Denslow’s Mother Goose, Denslow’s Night Before Christmas, and the Denslow’s Picture Books series.

A creative force beyond book illustration, Denslow designed theatrical sets and costumes, created the comic strip Billy Bounce, and developed newspaper strips featuring characters from Oz. He died in New York City in 1915 and was buried at Kensico Cemetery.