Lynd Ward (1905-1985) was born in the Chicago area where he lived until age 13.  The family then moved to New Jersey, where Ward would also spend most of his adult life.  Having suffered from after-effects of tuberculosis in childhood, it seems young Lynd was drawn to books and drawing at a young age.  After graduating from the Teacher’s College of Columbia University with and advanced degree in fine arts, he travelled with his new wife to Leipzig, Germany.  The young couple ended up spending more than a year in Germany.  Ward found entry to the Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst, where he learned from Hans Alexander Mueller, and came to admire the wordless graphic novels of Belgian artist Frans Masereel.  Upon his return to the United States in 1927, Ward launched his career as a wood engraver and book illustrator.  His fame was made thanks to his very finely engraved and published graphic novels.  He was also the founder of Equinox Cooperative Press and remained active as a wood engraver and book publisher all of his life.