David Wisniewski
, 1953 - 2002
David Wisniewski was born on March 21, 1953. His family didn’t really settle in one particular area because of his father’s postings as an air-force master sergeant. He credits his mother for teaching him how to draw in the first grade, which skill contributed to his love for reading Marvel Comics and later his interest in illustration. He attended the University of Maryland College Park, but was not able to afford the tuition, dropped out of school. He joined the Ringling Brothers Circus and Vargas Circus, where he worked as a clown. There, he met Donna Harris, who was his boss at the time and who later became his wife. They had two children; Ariana and Alexander. Since it was not easy for him to tour after his children were born, he settled down to full-time illustrating and writing. The books he illustrated include: The Warrior and the Wise Man (1989), Rain Player (1991), Sundiata: Lion King of Mali (1992), Golem (1996). He focused mainly on children’s books which won him the Caldecott Medal (an award given to the most distinguished artist of children’s picture books published in America) in 1997. He died in his sleep on September 11, 2002 at the age of 49.
Sources:
NYTimes.com (accessed: June 21 2022);
Wikipedia (accessed: June 21, 2022).
Bio prepared by Eleanor A. Dasi, University of Yaoundé I, wandasi5@yahoo.com
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