James Ransome (illustrator)

James Ransome
Born (1961-09-25) September 25, 1961 (age 62)
North Carolina, U.S.
OccupationIllustrator
LanguageEnglish
EducationBA
Alma materPratt Institute
GenrePicture books
Years active1993–now
Notable worksBefore She Was Harriet
Notable awardsNAACP Image Award
SpouseLesa Cline-Ransome
Children4
Website
jamesransome.com//

James E. Ransome (born September 25, 1961, in North Carolina)[1] is an American illustrator of over 60 children's books. He has also illustrated greetings cards and magazines, and has been commissioned for murals, including three for the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.[2]

Although Ransome was born in North Carolina, the family moved to Bergenfield, New Jersey while he was in high school. While there, he attended film making and photography classes, which influenced his style. He obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, where his mentor was the illustrator Jerry Pinkney.[3]

Ransome is an associate professor in the School of Art at Syracuse University.[4] He and his wife, author Lesa Cline-Ransome, and family live in Rhinebeck, New York.[2]

  1. ^ "Ransome, James E. 1961–". Encyclopedia.com. Archived from the original on March 13, 2022. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "James Ransome". The Highlights Foundation. Archived from the original on February 25, 2019. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  3. ^ "James E. Ransome". National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature. Archived from the original on February 25, 2019. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  4. ^ "James Ransome". Syracuse University. Archived from the original on February 25, 2019. Retrieved June 9, 2024.