Norman Rockwell

Norman Rockwell is perhaps best remembered for his countless Saturday Evening Post illustrations or his numerous advertisements for such companies as Coca-Cola, Ford Motor Company, and Sun-Maid Raisins. However, less well known is Rockwell's history with the Boy Scouts of America. During his 64 year long relationship with the Boy Scouts, Rockwell created 50 Brown & Bigelow Scouting calendar covers, over 200 illustrations, and 11 covers for Boys' Life magazine.

Born in 1894 in New York City, he knew by the age of 13 that he wanted to become an illustrator. In 1910, he enrolled at the Art Student League, where he studied under the noted illustrator Thomas Fogarty. In 1912, Rockwell produced his first illustrations for the Boy Scouts. These drawings appeared in the January 1913 issue of Boys' Life. Between 1913 and 1916, Rockwell was actually employed by the Boy Scouts as an art director for Boys' Life. Eager to expand his talent, he left his position with the Boy Scouts in 1916 to publish his first Saturday Evening Post cover.

In 1924, Rockwell painted his first Boy Scout calendar cover, A Good Turn, for Brown & Bigelow. Rockwell did this painting free of charge as a thank you to the Boy Scouts for helping him begin his career. Rockwell went on to create Boy Scout calendar covers for over 52 years. The National Scouting Museum owns 47 of these original paintings.

Known as "Mr. Scouting," Rockwell was presented the Silver Buffalo Award—Scouting's highest honor for distinguished service to youth. In 1977, President Gerald R. Ford awarded him the Medal of Freedom. Rockwell died peacefully in 1978.

Norman Rockwell was a visual storyteller, documenting traditional American values. His dedication to detail has resulted in authentic presentations of history. More than that, though, he is an important 20th century illustrator whose images contribute both to the legacy of Scouting and the American culture.