Peter Newell

• Name — Peter Newell • Birth Name — Peter Sheaf Hersey Newell • Born — 5 March 1862 • Birthplace — Niagara Falls, New York, U.S. • Died — 15 January 1924 • Occupation — Artist • Illustration — "The Amateur Circus at Nutley" by Peter Newell, which appeared in Harper's Weekly March 31, 1894 Peter Sheaf Hersey Newell (March 5, 1862 – January 15, 1924) was an American illustrator and cartoonist whose work appears in many periodicals and books. He is the author of novelty picture books including The Hole Book (1908) and The Slant Book (1910), and was a pioneer in manipulating the book's physical form as part of the story.

Newell, a native of McDonough County, Illinois, was born on March 5, 1862. He was reported to have said "Oh, I broke out about the same time as the Civil War". He graduated from high school in 1880 and immediately began work in a cigar factory. Newell then worked in a gallery in Jacksonville, Illinois. At night, he made humorous illustrations, which he mailed to some of the early illustrated periodicals, including the New York Graphic. Along with his submissions to Harper's Bazaar, he included a request that an editor indicate if he had any talent. The response said "No talent indicated" but had a check enclosed. Newell was encouraged by his success in editorial illustrations, and moved to New York in 1893 to train at the Art Students' League of New York.

Newell only completed one term at the Art Students League, believing that formal instruction would harm his unique creativity. He continued to build a reputation for his humorous drawings and poems, which appeared in Harper's Weekly, Harper's Bazaar, Scribner's Magazine, The Saturday Evening Post, Judge, and other publications. When he was known among national editors, he returned to Illinois. He married Leona Dow Ashcroft in 1884 and returned to the New York region after moving around for several years, settling in the town of Leonia, New Jersey, reportedly named for Newell's wife. Newell created a comic strip serial, The Naps of Polly Sleepyhead, which debuted in the New York Herald in 1905. Harper's Weekly hired him to cover the Paris Exposition in 1900. In 1912 he covered both the Republican and Democratic national conventions. • Illustration — An 1893 ambigram by Newell says both puzzle and, when flipped upside down, the end.

• Illustration — Portrait of Newell that appeared in The American Magazine in 1911 Newell married Leona Dow Ashcraft in 1885. They had three children: two daughters and a son who was killed in World War I. He reportedly said, "Some of my best work has been done while I had a baby on my lap." Newell was well known in the town of Leonia, where he was called "Uncle Peter". He served on the school board and church leadership, and was an amateur magician. Among Newell's hobbies were singing in the church choir and playing tennis and chess, at one point coaching a chess group called the "Chessnuts". Newell died in Little Neck, New York in 1924. Newell's great-granddaughter, Laura Lydecker, was also an artist and children's book illustrator. Lydecker illustrated editions of Wind in the Willows and The Country Mouse and the City Mouse.

• Illustration — Topsys & Turvys (1893) • Illustration — Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1901) • Illustration — Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1901) • Illustration — Fables for the Frivolous (1898) written by Guy Wetmore Carryl • Illustration — The Rocket Book (1912) • Illustration — The Rocket Book (1912) • Illustration — Illustration of Annie Oakley standing on a horse and holding a gun for Harper's Weekly (1894)

The authorities additionally record the headings Peter Shead Hersey Newell, Peter Shead Hersey Newall and Peter Sheaf Hersey Newell. His recorded language was English.

Peter Newell is recorded with the occupation writer. Recorded as writer, illustrator and graphic artist.