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| Frank Godwin | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | October 20, 1889 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Died | August 5, 1959 (1959-08-06) (aged 69) Paterson, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Area(s) | Illustrator,comic strip artist |
| Pseudonym(s) | Frank |
Notable works | Connie Rusty Riley |
| Spouse(s) | Grace Congelton (1909), Sylvia Calista Doutney |
| Children | 5 total: 4 with his first wife, 1 with his second |
Francis Godwin (October 20, 1889 – August 5, 1959) was an Americanillustrator andcomic strip artist, notable for his stripConnie and his book illustrations forTreasure Island,Kidnapped,Robinson Crusoe,Robin Hood andKing Arthur. He also was a prolific editorial and advertising illustrator.
Born inWashington, D.C., Godwin was the son ofHarry Godwin,The Washington Star's city editor, and in 1905, at age 16, he began as an apprentice on his father's paper.[1] Studying in New York at theArt Students League, Godwin became friends withJames Montgomery Flagg and two shared a studio together. Godwin was influenced by Flagg andCharles Dana Gibson, and reflections of both can be seen in Godwin's work.[1] Illustration historian and critic Jim Vadeboncoeur gave Godwin the highest ranking:
In 1952, Godwin said, "I am a frustrated engineer." In the wood and metal shop on the ground floor of hisBucks County, Pennsylvania, studio, he built a live-steam working model locomotive measuring four feet long. He also built a six-inch telescope with an electrical device which enabled him to follow the paths of stars.[3]
ASociety of Illustrators vice-president, Godwin was a member of the National Press Club and the Dutch Treat and Salmagundi clubs.[4]
Godwin's two major strips, seen over three decades, wereConnie (Ledger Syndicate, 1927[5]–1944) andRusty Riley (King Features Syndicate, 1948–1959). Most of Godwin's comic strips over the years were for theLedger Syndicate, includingVignettes of Life (1924–1927);Connie (1927–1944);Babe Bunting (1930–1939);The Wet Blanket (c. 1933–c. 1941);War on Crime (1936–1938); andRoy Powers, Eagle Scout (1938–1940).[6] Godwin stepped in to replace illustrator Kemp Starrett on writer Paul Powell'sdaily stripRoy Powers, Eagle Scout ("the official strip of theBoy Scouts of America"), continuing until 1942.[7]
Hal Foster,Milton Caniff andAlex Raymond continue to be reprinted with regularity, while Godwin's strips are difficult to find. He receives more attention inEurope, specificallyFrance (whereConnie is usually calledCora), though even there it is quite sparse.
Godwin also illustratedcomic books throughout the 1940s, mostly forLev Gleason Publications. He drew issues ofWonder Woman in 1943.[6]
