Rose Cecil O'Neill, born in rural Nebraska, was an American cartoonist, illustrator, artist, and writer. She built a successful career as a magazine and book illustrator and, at a young age, became the best-known and highest- paid female commercial illustrator in the United States. O' Neill earned a fortune and international fame by creating the Kewpie, the most widely known cartoon character until Mickey Mouse. Her Kewpies were later manufactured as bisque dolls followed by composition material and celluloid versions.
O'Neill also wrote several novels and books of poetry, and was active in the women's suffrage movement.
(source: wikipedia)