Origins & Early Life

Charles Dana Gibson (September 14, 1867 – December 23, 1944) was an American illustrator who created the Gibson Girl, a character that represented American woman at the turn of the 20th century. He published his illustrations in Life magazine and other major national publications for more than 30 years, becoming editor in 1918 and later owner of the general interest magazine. Gibson was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts, on September 14, 1867 to Josephine Elizabeth (née Lovett) and Charles DeWolf Gibson. He had five siblings.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

His great-great-great-grandfather was the lawyer Richard Dana (1700–1772). The line continued through his daughter, Lydia Trowbridge Dana (1755–1808); her daughter, Frances Maria Hastings (1792–1872); and her son, Charles Dana Gibson (1816–1867), who was his paternal grandfather and namesake. He was also a descendant of U.S. Senators James DeWolf and William Bradford. A talented youth with an early interest in art, Gibson was enrolled by his parents in New York City's Art Students League, where he studied for two years.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Peddling his pen-and-ink sketches, Gibson sold his first work in 1886 to Life magazine, founded by John Ames Mitchell...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Albert Bassermann — Contemporary (Born in 1867) (1867): Esteemed German stage and screen actor, celebrated for his dramatic versatility.
• Arturo Toscanini — Contemporary (Born in 1867) (1867): Intense Italian conductor, master of orchestral detail, and pivotal figure in 20th-century music.
• Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim — Contemporary (Born in 1867) (1867): Finnish military leader and statesman who guided Finland through tumultuous decades.
• Aimee Semple McPherson — Contemporary (Died in 1944) (1944): Pioneering Pentecostal evangelist, famous for founding the Foursquare Church.
• Alan Parker — Contemporary (Born in 1944) (1944): Acclaimed English filmmaker known for genre versatility and numerous BAFTA and Golden Globe wins.
• Ban Ki-moon — Contemporary (Born in 1944) (1944): South Korean diplomat who served as the UN Secretary-General from 2007 to 2016.
• Alexander von Humboldt — Shared historical date (09-14 · Born) (1769): German polymath, geographer, and naturalist who pioneered biogeography and modern science.
• Allan Bloom — Shared historical date (09-14 · Born) (1930): American philosopher and classicist known for championing Great Books education.
• Abraham Joshua Heschel — Shared historical date (12-23 · Died) (1972): Leading 20th-century American rabbi, theologian, and philosopher.
• Akihito — Shared historical date (12-23 · Born) (1933): 125th Emperor of Japan; reigned during the Heisei era (1989-2019).
• 1867 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1867
• September 14 (09-14) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on September 14
• 1944 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1944
• December 23 (12-23) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on December 23