William Francis "Frank" Ver Beck was an American illustrator known for his comedic drawings of animals. Ver Beck was born in Richland Township, Belmont County, Ohio as the son of a shoemaker. He studied art and woodcarving under Mansfield, Ohio artist Robert R. "Railroad" Smith and worked as a wood engraver.
In the early 1880s, Ver Beck moved to New York City. There he studied art and became a freelance illustrator for several magazines. He was one of author Stephen Crane's first friends in New York City.
Shortly before World War I, Ver Beck moved to England. In 1913 he was working in St Ives, Cornwall with his wife, the American-born artist and writer Hanna Rion. He died at the age of 75 in Essex.
(source: wikipedia)