LeRoy H. Appleton

LeRoy H. Appleton (1900–1999) was an American artist, illustrator, and muralist whose work often centered on themes of American history and geography. Born in Iowa, he studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and developed a career as both a painter and designer. During the 1930s and 1940s he produced large-scale murals under the Works Progress Administration and for public buildings, many of which illustrated scenes from the nation’s past. He also worked as an illustrator for books and magazines, using bold color and clear narrative imagery to convey historical and educational subjects.

Appleton is perhaps best remembered for his Mural Map of the United States and other cartographic artworks, which presented history and geography in a visually engaging form. His designs blended accuracy with accessible storytelling, making them useful teaching tools as well as striking works of art. He went on to teach at institutions including the Pratt Institute in New York, where he influenced a generation of designers and illustrators. Appleton lived a long life devoted to art and education, passing away in 1999 at the age of ninety-nine.