Pogány, Willy, 1882-1955

William Andrew (Willy) Pogány (1882-1955) was born in Szeged, Hungary. He studied at Budapest Technical University, and in Munich and Paris. Originally intending to be an engineer, he was already well established as an artist by the time he arrived in New York in 1915. Pogány created a number of murals, including one for the Niagara Falls Power Station. He designed sets for the Metropolitan Opera and for Broadway productions, as well as for films including Charlie Chaplin's "Modern Times". He also designed and illustrated more than 150 books, including children's books.

From the description of Willy Pogány papers, 1910-1967. (University of Oregon Libraries). WorldCat record id: 130046273

Willy Pogány was born in Hungary in 1882 and lived in Paris and London before settling in New York City. A prolific illustrator of children's books, Pogány also painted murals and portraits.

From the description of Willy Pogány papers, ca. 1916-1955. (University of Southern Mississippi, Regional Campus). WorldCat record id: 52578906

William "Willy" A. Pogány, born in Szeged, Hungary, in 1882, studied at Budapest Technical University and in Munich and Paris. His reputation as a muralist, painter and illustrator was well established in Paris, London and Munich before arriving in the United States in 1915, at the age of thirty-three. Skilled in an unusually wide range of media, he had won gold medals at exhibitions in Budapest, Leipzig, and at the Panama Pacific International Exhibition.

Among Pogány's many murals are those for the Heckscher Children's Theatre in New York City and the Niagara Falls Power Station. As a painter he did portraits of famous people in all walks of life. An expert on scenery design and lighting effects, Pogány also designed sets for ballets and operas, including "Le Coq d'Or," and for many films, such as Modern Times for Charlie Chaplin as well as animated cartoons based on his children's books.

Among his other artistic endeavors Pogány was an accomplished book illustrator. It was this phase of his career, especially as an illustrator of children's books, which gives this collection special relevance for Special Collections & University Archives at the University of Oregon Libraries. Pogány designed and illustrated more than 150 books. His illustrations include those for the Rubaiyat and the Sonnets from the Portuguese, The Song Celestial, The Adventures of Odysseus, Gulliver's Travels, and many others, both classic and original.

Working tirelessly right up until the end, Willy Pogány died in 1955. He is survived by his second wife, Elaine Pogány, a children's book writer, and his son, Peter Pogány Scott.

From the guide to the Willy Pogány papers, 1910-1967, (Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries)