Howard Pyle is considered by some to be the Father of American Illustration.

American illustrator and writer, primarily of books for young audiences. He was also an Illustrator for Harpers Weekly and other periodicals that I have never heard of --but I am sure they looked good !

He began teaching Illustration in 1894 and after 1900, he founded the Brandywine School in Chadd's Ford Pennsylvania.
The Great Maxfield Parish was one of his students, among other artists like Thorton Oakley (another favorite of mine).

I would have loved to have been in that classroom.