Early Life and Education

James Henry Daugherty came into the world on the first of June, 1889, in the charming town of Asheville, North Carolina. He was the son of Charles M. and Susan Peyton Telfair Daugherty. His formative years were spent amidst the pastoral landscapes of an Indiana farm and the quaint surroundings of a small southern Ohio town. Around the age of nine, a new chapter began when the family relocated to Washington, D.C., where his father secured a position within the government. Daugherty's educational journey was enriched by public schooling in the capital, a year at the Philadelphia Art Academy, and a valuable stint in London, owing to his father's two-year tenure there as an agent for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Influences and Storytelling

Equally vital to his academic pursuits were the vivid narratives and storytelling sessions that shaped his imagination, imparted by his parents and grandfather. His mother, a Virginian by birth, regaled him with melodies and tales from the antebellum South. His father, a University of Michigan alumnus, introduced him to a rich tapestry of English and American literature, spanning from the medieval Chaucer to the iconic Mark Twain. Meanwhile, his grandfather spun mesmerizing yarns of the frontier, tales passed down through generations.

World War I and Artistic Pursuits

During the turbulent era of World War I, Daugherty lent his artistic talents to the U.S. Navy, crafting ship camouflage and designing evocative war posters. His creative endeavors extended to murals and illustrations gracing the pages of books and magazines. In the post-war years, he flourished as an illustrator for the Doubleday Page Company. His burgeoning reputation led to collaborations with various book publishers and prestigious magazines, including the New Yorker, Forum, and Golden Book. The 1920s saw him embellishing Loew chain movie theaters with his murals. Under President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal, Daugherty adorned public edifices with murals, including a high school in Stamford, Connecticut. His biographical novel, Daniel Boone, which he both wrote and illustrated, earned him the 1939 Newbery Medal, with his other young adult biographies consistently receiving acclaim. A retrospective exhibit of his work graced New York in 1971.

Family Legacy

Daugherty's wife, Sonia Medvedeva, carved out her own niche as a celebrated author of children's and young adult books. Their son, Charles Michael (Chris), carried forward the family legacy, penning young adult stories that his father brought to life through illustrations. The family settled in Westport, Connecticut, during the 1920s, where Daugherty remained until he passed away on February 21, 1974.