Howard Pyle (1853-1911) was an American artist and author celebrated for his drawings and painting for magazines and books. He was a teacher of art and several of his students went on to fame, including N.C. Wyeth and Maxfield Parrish. In addition to his visual art, Pyle wrote and illustrated a number of books that have become classics of their kind. The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood and The Story of King Arthur and His Knights became standard interpretations of those legends for generations. His fiction was distinguished by the same eye for drama, excitement and accurate historical color as was his painting.