Frank Godwin

American cartoonist
the English film producer

Francis Godwin (October 20, 1889 – August 5, 1959) was an American illustrator and comic strip artist, notable for his strip Connie and his book illustrations for Treasure Island, Kidnapped, Robinson Crusoe, Robin Hood and King Arthur. He also was a prolific editorial and advertising illustrator.

Born in Washington, D. C., Godwin was the son of Harry Godwin, The Washington Star's city editor, and in 1905, at age 16, he began as an apprentice on his father's paper. Studying in New York at the Art Students League, Godwin became friends with James Montgomery Flagg and two shared a studio together. Godwin was influenced by Flagg and Charles Dana Gibson, and reflections of both can be seen in Godwin's work. In 1952, Godwin said, "I am a frustrated engineer." In the wood and metal shop on the ground floor of his Bucks County, Pennsylvania, studio, he built a live steam working model locomotive measuring four feet long. He also built a six inch telescope with an electrical device which enabled him to follow the paths of stars. A Society of Illustrators vice president, Godwin was a member of the National Press Club and the Dutch Treat and Salmagundi clubs.

Godwin's two major strips, seen over three decades, were Connie (Ledger Syndicate, 1927–1944) and Rusty Riley (King Features Syndicate, 1948–1959). Most of Godwin's comic strips over the years were for the Ledger Syndicate, including Vignettes of Life (1924–1927); Connie (1927–1944); Babe Bunting (1930–1939); The Wet Blanket (c. 1933–c. 1941); War on Crime (1936–1938); and Roy Powers, Eagle Scout (1938–1940). Godwin stepped in to replace illustrator Kemp Starrett on writer Paul Powell's daily strip Roy Powers, Eagle Scout ("the official strip of the Boy Scouts of America"), continuing until 1942. Hal Foster, Milton Caniff and Alex Raymond continue to be reprinted with regularity, while Godwin's strips are difficult to find. He receives more attention in Europe, specifically France (where Connie is usually called Cora), though even there it is quite sparse. Godwin also illustrated comic books throughout the 1940s, mostly for Lev Gleason Publications. He drew issues of Wonder Woman in 1943.