Donald Ewin Cooke was born in Philadelphia on August 5, 1916. Other than his time as a correspondent for Yank during World War II, Cooke spent his entire life in Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs. He studied at the Philadelphia Museum School of Art (now University of the Arts) and later worked at a number of Philadelphia publishing houses before founding Edraydo (later Haverford House) in 1960.

Cooke primarily wrote history and historical fiction for older children. He illustrated his own books as well as some adaptations, including Sorcerer’s Apprentice (1947). His illustrations were chiefly pen and ink or watercolor, and Cooke also produced greeting cards and fine art prints. He considered himself an amateur historian and studied American history in order to write books like The Romance of Capitalism (1958) and Marvels of American Industry (1962). Cooke published more than twenty books, mostly for Winston Publishing or Hammond World Atlas Corporation. He died in Philadelphia on August 17, 1985.

Bibliography:

“Donald Ewin Cooke.” Contemporary Authors Online. Detroit: Gale, 2003.

Something About the Author, vol. 2.

The Donald Ewin Cooke papers consist of lettering and twelve pen and ink illustrations for Sorcerer’s Apprentice (1947), a character doll and book jacket final art for The Silver Horn of Robin Hood (1956), and the final art by Henry Clarence Pitz for the Valley of Rebellion book jacket.

This collection is arranged in three series, alphabetically by title: 1. The Silver Horn of Robin Hood; 2. Sorcerer's Apprentice; and 3. Valley of Rebellion: A Story of America's First Armed Revolt Against British Authority. Within each series, illustrations are arranged in the order in which they appear in the published book.

Publication Information:

Free Library of Philadelphia: Children's Literature Research Collection

Finding Aid Author:

Finding aid prepared by Garrett Boos

Sponsor:

The processing of this collection was made possible through generous funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, administered through the Council on Library and Information Resources’ “Cataloging Hidden Special Collections and Archives” Project.

Access Restrictions:

This collection is open to researchers by appointment; please contact the Curator.

Use Restrictions:

The right of access to material does not imply the right of publication. Permission for reprinting, reproduction, or extensive quotation from the rare books, manuscripts, prints, or drawings must be obtained through written application, stating the use to be made of the material. The reader bears the responsibility for any possible infringement of copyright laws in the publication of such material. A reproduction fee will be charged if the material is to be reproduced in a commercial publication.

Immediate Source of Acquisition:

Gift of Donald Ewin Cooke, 1958-1976.

University of Minnesota: Donald Edwin Cooke Papers, 1955-1956, CLRC-1231.

• Character dolls
• Drawings (visual works)
• Illustrations
• Watercolors (paintings)

• Cooke, Donald Ewin, 1916-
• Pitz, Henry Clarence, 1895-1976

• Children's authors--20th century
• Children's literature--20th century
• Illustrated children's books--20th century
• Illustration of books--20th century
• Robin Hood (Legendary character)