A renowned illustrator from the early part of the twentieth century until his death, Campbell's early work appeared in magazines including McClure's and Scribner's, as well as in numerous books. As part of the Works Progress Administration art corps during the Great Depression, Campbell, like other WPA artists, paid particular attention to American life and workers. Demonstrating the talent that made his commercial illustrations so popular, Campbell's Depression-Era art makes the fixtures of everyday life and work somehow notable and special.