William Pogany was born in Szeged, Hungary, and grew up in Budapest. He decided to be an engineer when he grew up, but athletics, drawing, and painting also interested him. Changing direction in his life, he worked hard to become an artist. Studying painting in Paris, Pogany found little success, so he moved to London, married, and fathered a son. Life continued to improve for him as he began illustrating books. Working in London for ten years, Pogany relocated to the United States and has not only illustrated more than 150 books, including Bible Stories to Read and Tell, he has sculpted, etched, painted murals, designed costumes for the Metropolitan Opera House, and created sets for Hollywood movies.