Ludwig Bemelmans (1896-1963) was born in the Austrian Tyrol, and came to the United States in 1914. Although best known for his children's books, he also wrote fiction and nonfiction for adults on subjects he knew best: hotels, traveling, and Hollywood. He was a frequent contributor to magazines, including The New Yorker, Town & Country, and Holiday. Bemelmans was also a painter whose art was displayed in exhibitions around the world.