Hilary Knight Papers

Collection

Identifier: 1992-0047

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains preliminary and finished artwork, manuscripts, galleys, proofs, and dummies pertaining to thirty of the illustrator's published books and numerous published articles. This collection also includes many signed and dated explanatory notes from Mr. Knight, added to the collection before it was donated to the University of Connecticut in 2001.

Dates

1956-2001

Access

The collection is open and available for research.

Restrictions on Use and Copyright Information

Permission to publish from these Papers must be obtained in writing from both the University of Connecticut Libraries and the owner(s) of the copyright.

Biography

Hilary Knight was born November 1, 1926 in Hempstead, Long Island. His mother, Katherine Sturges, was a successful commercial and fashion illustrator, known for her graceful Oriental-style artwork. His father, Clayton Knight, was a popular aviation book illustrator. Both parents were extremely influential in Mr. Knight’s decision to pursue a career in illustration, and his mother’s love of traditional Asian art is often exhibited in Mr. Knight’s own artwork. At the age of sixteen, he enrolled in the Art Students League in New York City to study art. While there, he gained a reputation as a high-spirited, somewhat mischievous student. In 1944, at the age of eighteen, Mr. Knight dropped out of school and joined the United States Navy, where he served as a ship painter for eighteen months during the height of World War II. Following his time in the Navy, Mr. Knight worked short stints as a set designer and magazine illustrator, where he became known for his whimsical black line style of drawing. Mr. Knight began illustrating children’s books for the Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Series by Betty MacDonald in the 1940s, but a fateful meeting with singer Kay Thompson at the Plaza Hotel in New York really launched Mr. Knight’s career as a children’s book illustrator. Following the publication of Eloise in 1955, Mr. Knight went on to illustrate over fifty books and numerous magazine articles for children.

Mr. Knight’s illustrations are known for their whimsical energy, fresh color, and pixie-ish characters. His technique begins with “working sketches”, using cut-out sections of text glued to double-sided Strathmore boards, which then become the actual finished artwork. He uses a combination of watercolor, pencil and pen to make most of his illustrations.

Extent

17.5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Hilary Knight is a New York-based illustrator for children's books and magazines. This collection contains preliminary and finished artwork, manuscripts, galleys, proofs, and dummies pertaining to 30 of the illustrator's published books and numerous published articles.

Arrangement

Series I : Correspondence and Notes (undated, 1960-2001)

Series II : Published Books Illustrated by Hilary Knight (1956-2000)

Series III : Published Articles Illustrated by Hilary Knight (1973-1997)

Series IV : Unpublished Works (undated)

Series V : Promotional Materials (1976-1995)

Custodial History

Donated to the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center by Hilary Knight in 2001.

Related Material

Archives & Special Collections has a substantial collection of materials pertaining to children's literature and associated artwork. For detailed information on these collections please contact the curator or ask at the Reading Room desk.

Bibliography

Evans, Dilys. "Hilary Knight, A Natural Born Rascal" in Show & Tell: Exploring the Fine Art of Children's Book Illustration. San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2008: p. 10-21

"Meet the Authors: Hilary Knight," Barnes and Noble,(November 11, 2011) http://www.barnesandnoble.com/writers/writerdetails.asp?z=y&cid=840202#bio

Subjects

Authors Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Children's literature Subject Source: Fast
Correspondence Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Dummies (printed matter) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Galley proofs Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Illustrations (layout features). Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Illustrators Subject Source: Fast
Illustrators Subject Source: Fast
Monographs Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
New York (inhabited place) Subject Source: Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names
Notes Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Photocopies Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Photographs Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Proofs (printed matter) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Sketches Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Twentieth century. Subject Source: Fast
United States (nation) Subject Source: Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names
Works of Art Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus