Richard Scarry Born on June 5, 1919 in Boston. He attended Boston's Museum of Fine Arts School, studying art from 1939 to 1942. He served in the army as an art director, editor, and writer of information publications in North Africa and Italy.

After the war Scarry worked in New York as a free-lance illustrator. His first book, Two Little Miners, was published in 1949, followed by five other children's books, published by Simon and Schuster in the same year. He worked throughout the 50's illustrating books done by various authors, usually for Golden Press. In 1963 he made his breakthrough with Richard Scarry's Best World Book Ever. The large-format book sold seven million copies in twelve years. He also illustrated several books written by J.D. Bevington. After twenty years with Golden Books, Scarry decided to move to Ramdom House. Scarry published over 300 books with total sales of 300 million worldwide, more than any other author.

Richard Scarry died in his home in Gstaad on April 30, 1994.

(Bowker Author Biography)