James Carter Beard

Background

James Beard was born on June 6, 1837, at Cincinnati, Ohio, the son of James Henry Beard and Mary Caroline (Carter) Beard.

Education

Privately educated, James Beard read law with Rutherford B. Hayes, afterward president of the United States.

Career

James was admitted to the bar in 1861, practising long enough to win one case. During the Civil War he served with the Hundred Days' Men. For many years he held an editorial position with D. Appleton & Company. He also did a mass of special work for the newspapers, but it is as a writer of illustrated articles on plant and animal life that he is chiefly known. Harper's Magazine, Saint Nicholas, Century, Outing, Country Life, and the Scientific American were some of the periodicals for which he wrote and drew. He illustrated Hunting Trip of a Ranchman (1886), by Theodore Roosevelt, and was the author of The Adventures of Little Fantasy among the Water Devils (published anonymously, 1871); Little Workers (1871); Painting on China (1882); Curious Homes and their Tenants (1897); and Billy Possum (1909). For many years Beard lived in Brooklyn. He moved to New Orleans about the year 1910 and died there November 15, 1913.

Achievements

• James Beard was the author of The Adventures of Little Fantasy among the Water Devils (1871); Little Workers (1871); Painting on China (1882); Curious Homes and their Tenants (1897); and Billy Possum (1909).

Works

More photos

• book

  • Painting on China: What to Paint and How to Paint it: A Hand-Book of Practical Instruction in Overglaze Painting for Amateurs in the Decoration of Hard Porcelain (1882)

    (Originally published in 1882. This volume from the Cornel...)

  • book

Personality

Quotes from others about the person

• James' brother, Daniel C. Beard, said, "When he got his sheepskin as an attorney and counselor at law, handing it to his father he said, 'I did this for you. I am now going into art for myself. ' "

Connections

On December 25, 1862, James Beard married Martha J. Bray of Terre Haute, Indiana, the ceremony being performed by Lyman Abbott.

Father:

James Henry Beard

Mother:

Mary Caroline (Carter) Beard

Sister:

Adelia Belle Beard

Sister :

Mary Caroline Beard

Wife:

Martha Jane (Bray) Beard

Daughter:

Alice Beard

Brother:

Daniel Carter Beard