James E. Ransome is an American illustrator of children’s books.

Biography

He was born in North Carolina. During high school years, the family moved to Bergenfield, New Jersey; he attended film making and photography classes, which influenced his style. He obtained a Batchelor of Fine Arts degree from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, where his mentor was the illustrator Jerry Pinkney.

James Ransome has illustrated over 60 picture books, and has illustrated greetings cards and magazines. Commissioned murals include three for the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.

He is an Associate Professor in the School of Art at Syracuse University. He and his wife, author Lesa Cline-Ransome, and family live in Rhinebeck, New York.