Bradbury Thompson (1911-1995) was born in Topeka, Kansas and graduated from Washburn College in 1934. From 1938-1962, Thompson designed Westvaco Inspirations for Printers, the arts innovative journal of the West Virginia Pulp and paper Company. There he developed his unique style of design which included the experimental use of color, typography and photo reproduction. After World War II, he was a freelance designer in New York where he art directed Madamoiselle from 1945-1972. Thompson also was design director of Art News from 1945-1972 and designed the form at of various magazines including the Smithsonian magazine.