Don Freeman was born in San Diego, California on August 11, 1908. As a young student he became interested in art and began attending the San Diego School of Fine Arts. In 1928, one year before the Stock Market Crash, Freeman moved to New York City. While studying at the Arts Student League he became a pupil of John Sloan and Harry Wickey, two of the most important Social Realist artists of the period. Like his instructors, Freeman concentrated on subjects of urban city life in New York City during the Great Depression. He became a contributing illustrator for the Herald Tribune, New York Times, and Theater Magazine. Most of Freeman’s images depicted the everyday lives of people in the City, including theater workers, actors, stagehands, amongst others. Freeman spent the 1930s and 1940s in New York and became known as the "Daumier of New York City" for his affiliation with Ash Can School. After the Depression Freeman lightened his palette and subject matter. In 1951 he began illustrating children's books. His wife, Lydia, was also an artist and helped author the books. The Freemans soon moved to Santa Barbara, California where they spent the remainder of their lives.