Background
Pitz, Henry Clarence was born on June 16, 1895 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of Henry William and Anna Rosina (Stiffel) Pitz.
Pitz, Henry Clarence was born on June 16, 1895 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of Henry William and Anna Rosina (Stiffel) Pitz.
Pitz graduated from West Philadelphia High School and was awarded a scholarship to the Philadelphia Museum School of Industrial Art which changed its name in 1838 to the University of the Arts. At art school Pitz studied illustration and was particularly fond of Howard Pyle.
After a few years in the Army Medical Corps spent in Europe, Pitz returned to Philadelphia and began a career of teaching and book illustration, his first notable book being Early American Costume published by The Century Company of New New York In the 1930s Pitz joined the monthly magazine American Artist as an associate editor and writer and was a regular contributor to the magazine for the rest of his life. Pitz also became a regular teacher at his alma mater, the Museum School.
In 1950 Pitz was elected to the National Academy of Design.
In the 1960s Pitz was commissioned by Houghton, Mifflin and Company to write The Brandywine School which remained on the best seller list for ten weeks. A few years later Pitz published a comprehensive book on his favorite illustrator, Howard Pyle.
Pitz resided at 3 Cornelia Place in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia. He died on November 26, 1976 in Philadelphia.
Member Philadelphia Council Defense. Member Post War Planning Board, Whitemarsh, Pennsylvania. Served with United States Army, 1918-1919.
Member Philadelphia Art Alliance (vice president), American Institute Graphic Arts, Audubon Artists, American Water Color Society, Society Illustrators, Graphic Arts Forum, Association for Advancement of Arts in Childhood.
Clubs: Folio, Sketch (president), Water Color (director), Salmagundi (New York City) Print Franklin Inn (Philadelphia), Newcomen Society of North. American.
Married Molly Wheeler Wood, June 6, 1935. Children: Julia Leaming, Henry William.