Emma L. Brock

• Name — Emma Lillian Brock • Born — 11 June 1886 • Birthplace — Fort Shaw, Montana, U.S. • Died — 17 August 1974 • Resting Place — Lakeside Cemetery, Hastings, Dakota County, Minnesota • Known for — Runaway Sardine • Occupation — children's author, illustrator • Education — University of Minnesota Arts Student League

• Illustration — Fairyfoot and the Stumpinghame children (illustration by Emma L. Brock, from 1924 Macmillan edition of Granny's Wonderful Chair) Brock was the eldest of two daughters born in Fort Shaw, Montana to Morton W. Brock and Emma Brownson. She attended The University of Minnesota (from which she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1908), the Minneapolis School of Fine Arts, and the Art Students League of New York, where she studied with George Bridgman, Boardman Robinson, and Joseph Pennell. During this period (from roughly 1909 through at least the mid-19-teens), Brock paid her way through art schools by working as a librarian in the Minneapolis and New York public library systems, respectively. In the former, she was with the art department, while in New York she served in the children's rooms. Prior to the publication in 1929 of Runaway Sardine, the first book both written and illustrated by Brock (as well as her own personal favorite), Brock's professional debut as an illustrator came in 1922 with Clara Whitehill Hunt's adaptation of R. H. Horne's Memoirs of a London Doll. Brooklyn Times columnist—and fellow children's author —Elsie Jean described Brock's 1929 authorial debut as "one of the loveliest picture books" of 1929, enjoyable from first page to last and ideal for ages 4 through 9, concluding, "I'm going to keep this one for my very own self, and I'm over nine!"

Brock died on August 17, 1974. Her remains are interred at Lakeside Cemetery, Hastings, Dakota County, Minnesota.