Dean Cornwell was an American painter and illustrator who was prominent in the early 20th century. His works include illustrations for Harper's Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, and Good Housekeeping. He also painted several other murals besides those for the L.A. library, including for the locations: the Warwick Hotel New York, 10 Rockefeller Plaza New York, and the Sevier State Office Building in Tennessee. He is mentioned in several L.A. Times articles, including one dated June 21, 1931, which covers his research process for the murals for the L.A. library.
