William Ward Beecher

William Ward Beecher (American, 1921-2006) was the son of Adolph William Beecher, a descendent of Henry Ward Beecher and Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Beatrice du Blan. He grew up in Brooklyn, New York and did not have formal training in art. In 1942, he volunteered for the U.S. Air Force. In 1943, while stationed in England, he won an art contest, then started a portfolio of drawings of fellow soldiers. In 1947, he had his first New York show at the Butler Gallery. That year, he married Dolores Katherine Laredo. They had four children, Christopher, Dana, Robert, and Karen. The Beechers lived in New York City until 1967, then moved to Cornwall, Connecticut. They had a summer home in Strausberg, Pennsylvania.... more.