Master Skylark

John Bennett (May 14, 1865 - December 28, 1956) was an American author and illustrator renowned for his contributions to children's literature. Born in Chillicothe, Ohio, Bennett demonstrated artistic talent from an early age, mastering the skill of cutting silhouettes as a child. Despite dropping out of high school, he work for a newspaper and later became a freelance author and illustrator. Bennett's breakthrough came in 1897 with the publication of his highly successful children's book, "Master Skylark. Following health issues, Bennett relocated to Charleston, South Carolina, in 1898, where he married and became actively involved in promoting culture in the city. It was during this time that he began incorporating black folktales and the Gullah language into his work. Despite facing initial social ostracism due to his interest in black culture, Bennett persevered and continued to write and lecture on the subject.