Daniel Carter "Uncle Dan" Beard (1850-1941) was an American illustrator, author, and social reformer who founded the Sons of Daniel Boone in 1905, which Beard later merged with the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). He started an early career as an engineer and surveyor. He attended art school in New York City. He wrote a series of articles for St. Nicholas magazine that later formed the basis for the American Boy's Handy Book (1883). He was a member of the Student Art League, where he met and befriended Ernest Thompson Seton in 1883. He illustrated a number of books for Mark Twain, and for other authors such as Ernest Crosby. Beard became the editor of Recreation magazine and wrote a monthly column for youth. He later moved his column to Women's Home Companion. After conflicts with a new editor, he moved to the Pictorial Review. His other works include: The American Girl's Handy Book (1887), The American Boy's Book of Sport (1890), Moonlight and Six Feet of Romance (1892), The Outdoor Handy Book (1896) and Jack of All Trades (1900). --This text refers to the Paperback edition.