Robert Lawson studied at the New York School of Fine and Applied Arts under H. Giles and R. S. Bredin. He started his career creating illustrations for Harper's Weekly, Ladies Home Journal, Everybody's Magazine, Century Magazine and Vogue. He authored and illustrated several children's books including Ben and Me, Rabbit Hill and Mr. Wilmer. He was illustrator for Ferdinand by Munro Leaf. His work was exhibited by the Society of American Engravers and the American Library Association. He won the Caldecott Medal in 1941 for his illustrations for They Were Strong and Good and the Newbery Award in 1945 for his short story Rabbit Hill.