Peter F. Copeland (1927-2007) was a renowned freelance illustrator with a considerable reputation as a historical illustrator, marine archaeologist, merchant mariner, and consultant to the Smithsonian Institution. In the 1950s, Mr. Copeland worked at the Smithsonian as chief of the illustration department for the old Museum of History and Technology exhibitions. He also worked as a writer and historical researcher on exhibitions dealing with military aviation and ballooning history. Mr. Copeland wrote magazine articles and illustrated American history coloring books for Dover and other publishers from 1974 until 2006.