Paul Starrett Sample (1896-1974)
Paul Sample was born in Kentucky, but spent much of his youth moving about the country with his family. As a young man he attended Dartmouth College, but his interests at that time focused on athletics. His studies were interrupted at the outbreak of World War I when he was called to serve in the Navy. At the conclusion of the War, he returned to Dartmouth to receive his diploma, however shortly after, developed tuberculosis. He spent four years recovering at a sanitarium in the Adirondack mountains. It was at this time that Sample developed his more creative side, and eventually decided to pursue a career in the arts. Fully recovered by 1923, he went to California to study under artist Jonas Lie.
By 1926 he was appointed to the faculty of the University of Southern California. He remained there until 1938, when he moved back to Dartmouth to become artist-in-residence at the college. In 1940, Sample was elected to the National Academy of Design. Sample is often categorized as a “Regionalist” and is best known for his works depicting rural New England.
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