GIBSON, WILLIAM HAMILTON

born Oct. 5, 1850, Sandy Hook, Conn., U.S. died July 16, 1896, Washington, Conn. American illustrator, author, and naturalist. Gibson had sketched flowers and insects when he was only eight years old, had long been interested in botany and entomology, and had acquired great skill in making wax flowers. His first drawings, of a technical character, were published in 1870. He rapidly became an expert illustrator and a remarkably able wood engraver, while also practicing lithography with great success. He drew for many periodicals, his most popular works being a long series of nature articles published in Harper's Weekly, Scribner's Monthly, and Century. Gibson was an expert photographer, and his drawings had a nearly photographic and almost microscopic accuracy of detail. He was perfectly at home in black-and-white, but rarely (and feebly) used colours.