Lillian Hoban

Lillian Hoban was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on May 18, 1925. Before her career as an author and illustrator, Hoban was a dancer. She studied at the Philadelphia Museum School of Art, and spent time dancing with Martha Graham, who was a figure in the development of modern dance. Hoban was also a dance teacher. She married Russell Hoban, with whom she raised four children. Together they created the beloved and delightful Frances series for children. Hoban illustrated many of her husband's works until their divorce in the 1970s. She returned with her childrenfrom the family's home in London to the United States, and began to write her own stories. Deemed among the classics of children's literature,her works include the Riverside Kids series and Arthur the Chimpanzee. Hoban died in 1998.