Peter F. Copeland, an illustrator known for his children's historical coloring book series, was born on September 19, 1957. Receiving his Bachelor of Arts from Lawrence University in Wisconsin, he also traveled to England to attend the University of Exeter. An experienced reporter, Copeland worked for the City News Bureau of Chicago during the period from 1980 to 1982, the El Paso Texas Herald Post from 1982 to 1984, and the Scripps-Howard News Service in Washington, D.C. in 1984. He was the author of several books on United States history, including From Antietam to Gettysburg (1983), She Went to War: The Rhonda Cornum Story (with Rhonda Cornum) (1993), and Great Native Americans (1997). He has also illustrated numerous children's coloring books. Afflicted with lung cancer, he passed away on December 8, 2007 at his home in Arlington.