Stephen Alcorn

While born in the U.S., Stephen Alcorn spent his formative years in Florence, Italy. It was there that he attended the Istituto Statale d’Arte, an experience that left an indelible impression upon him and infused his work with a passion for bold technical experimentation in a wide range of mediums. Since then he has embraced an equally broad spectrum of themes and subjects, including the interpretation of literary classics and poetry (both classical and modern), 19th century American history, and notably, the African-American experience—spawning a stream of award-winning projects for adult, young adult, and young readers alike. Mr. Alcorn’s work hangs in numerous private and permanent collections, both in the United States and in Europe. Major publishers throughout the world routinely employ his award winning portraiture and illustration, and his work has been the subject of numerous feature magazine articles appearing in Print, Graphis, U&LC, Linea Grafica, Grafica & Disegno, Prometeo, and Abitare.

Mr. Alcorn’s books for young readers include Langston Hughes: An Illustrated Edition, written by Milton Meltzer (Millbrook), which won the 1998 Carter G. Woodson Book Award; I, Too, Sing America: Three Centuries of African American Poetry, edited by Catherine Clinton (Houghton), which was selected as a Best Book for Young Adults by the American Library Association; and Let it Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters, written by Andrea Davis Pinkney (Harcourt), a Coretta Scott King Honor Book.

Since 1986 Mr. Alcorn has lived and worked in the village of Cambridge, New York, with his wife, botanical artist Sabina Fascione Alcorn, and their two daughters. 1993 marked the opening to the general public of The Alcorn Studio & Gallery, a multifaceted workshop featuring rotating exhibits of both artists’ painting, printmaking, and publishing activities. 1998 marked the opening of their online gallery, located at AlcornGallery.com.

More Books by Stephen Alcorn

Abraham Lincoln: In His Own Words, edited by Milton Meltzer (Harcourt Brace)

America at War: A Poetry Anthology, poems selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins (Simon & Schuster)

The Artist of the Missing, written by Paul Lafarge (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)

The Book of Rock Stars: 24 Musical Icons That Shine Through History by Kathleen Krull (Disney-Hyperion)

Broken Feather, written by Verla Kay (Penguin Group)

Days to Celebrate: an Almanac of People, Events, and Poetry, edited by Lee Bennett Hopkins (Greenwillow Books)

Frederick Douglass: In His Own Words, by Frederick Douglass edited by Milton Meltzer (Harcourt)

Hoofbeats, Claws, and Rippled Fins: Creature Poems, edited by Lee Bennett Hopkins (HarperCollins)

Keep On! The Story of Matthew Henson, Co-Discoverer of the North Pole, written by Deborah Hopkinson (Peachtree Publishers)

Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women, written by Andrea Davis Pinkney (HMH Books for Young Readers)

My America: A Poetry Atlas of the United States, edited by Lee Bennett Hopkins (Simon & Schuster)

Poem of Her Own: Voices of American Women Yesterday and Today, written by Catherine Clinton (Harry Abrams)

Yours for Justice, Ida B. Wells: The Daring Life of a Crusading Journalist, by Philip Dray (Peachtree Publishing)