William T. Cooper

Who is William T. Cooper?

William T. Cooper, in Newcastle, is an Australian artist. He trained originally as a landscape and seascape artist but achieved renown through natural history scientific illustrations, especially of birds. Cooper also became a qualified taxidermist in his teenage years.

His first book was "Portfolio of Australian Birds", written by Keith Hindwood in 1967. After which, he illustrated "Parrots of the World", "Birds of Paradise and Bowerbirds", "Australian Parrots", "Kingfishers and Related Birds", "The Cockatoos", "Turacos" all authored by Joseph M Forshaw.

In 1992 the Academy of Natural Sciences Philadelphia USA, presented Cooper with their gold medal for 'artistic endeavors and life's work which have contributed to mankind's better understanding and appreciation of living things' He is the first and only Australian recipient in its 190 year history. Then in 1994, Cooper was awarded the Order of Australia for his contribution to art and natural history.

William T Cooper’s work is held in many collections and institutions around the world including the National Library of Australia and the New Guinea government who purchased entire collections of his published works. His paintings have illustrated some of the finest books published. He has also illustrated "Visions of a Rainforest" by Stanley Breeden & "Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest" by Wendy Cooper. In 2011 he wrote and illustrated "Capturing the Essence", a book that illustrates and describes techniques for artists.