Elwell, Robert Farrington | McCracken Research Library

Robert Farrington Elwell (1874-1962) became well known as a western illustrator, painter and sculptor although he was professionally trained as an engineer.  Elwell met William F. Cody in the late 1880s after a Wild West performance.  Cody invited Elwell to visit his ranches near Cody, Wyoming, to rest, relax, and work on his art.  This led to his becoming a frequent and welcome guest at Cody’s ranch and eventually working for Cody as an engineer, ranch manager, and as an artist for some of Cody’s Wild West publicity.  Elwell managed successful careers working as both engineer and artist during his life.

"Thereafter, Elwell lived for a time in Wickenburg, [Arizona], where many of his western illustrations for Little, Brown, & Company were painted. His last years were spent in Phoenix where he continued to turn out competent work." -- Doris Ostrander Dawdy, Artists of the American West : a Biographical Dictionary, Sage Books, c1974, v. 1, p. 81.