Thomas Handforth (1897-1948) "Siesta", circa 1925, etching, pencil signed and noted as from an edition of 50. Thomas Schofield Handforth was born in Tacoma, Washington on September 16, 1897. Handforth studied at the University of Washington and at L'Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris. He wrote, illustrated, and was awarded the Caldecott Medal in 1939 for his book, Mei Li about his experiences in China. He died in Los Angeles County on October 19, 1948.