Etcher and illustrator William P. Schoonmaker was born in New York City in 1891.  He studied with George B. Bridgeman and at the Art Students League. 

He was a member of the Philadelphia Sketch Club, the Philadelphia Print Club, the Philadelphia Artists Guild of the Authors League of America and the Art Directors Club.  Schoonmaker was also an illustrator for Country Gentleman and Ladies Home Journal. y years. After the end of World War II the highly versatile artist instructed American Army College with outstanding success.