Howard Whitford Willard (1894-1960) was an artist best known for his lithographs and woodcuts and his western and "ethnic" dust jackets and illustrations. Born in Illinois, he moved to California as a child and spent part of his life there, along with an extended period in New York City, where he was a prominent member of the art scene. He studied at the Art Students League of New York. In 1938, he joined the staff of the Cooper Union in design instruction as an "illustrative designer." He was married to art critic Charlotte Willard.