William Dugan, Illustrator

I'm looking for information about children's book illustrator, William Dugan. He illustrated various Golden Books in the 1950's and 60's (possibly before that). He drew a charming illustration of a horse and carriage and a nurse in front of a stone building which is believed to be a hospital in the Philadelphia area back in the 1890's. Does anyone have information about William Dugan and any ties to Philadelphia? We're trying to locate the original illustration, which does NOT appear in any of his children's books. We believe that he drew this picture exclusively for the hospital.

Making it easier to reach his author page:

William Dugan

Have you looked in the 2007 book Golden Legacy: How Golden Books Won Children's Hearts, Changed Publishing Forever, and Became An American Icon Along the Way?

I'm not finding much about him, though I remember being charmed by his work.

Thank you, 2wonderY. Per your suggestion, I looked in the 2007 Golden Legacy in the index. He is not listed. His work is VERY charming. There are some "old-timers" around here who swear that the illustration that he drew is indeed the hospital. I had a lead of a William Dugan in New York who was an artist. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2010, but I did speak with his brother who said no, he did not illustrate children's books. Interesting mystery!

CK on his author page says his legal name is Charlie McDade

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That's an error. I think it's a holdover from when that page was improperly combined with Bill Dugan. There's an author named Bill Dugan whose real name is Charlie McDade. Not the same person.

I'll edit that CK.

I'm the son of Stan and Jan Berenstain, creators of the Berenstain Bears children's book series. Bill Dugan was a friend of my father's. They went to West Philadelphia High School together. Dugan was a relative--may have been the brother of-- actor Tom Dugan who appeared in Ernst Lubitch's film, To Be or Not To Be. My father and Dugan were part of an art student group mentored by West Philly High teacher, Selden Carey. Another member of this group was Philadelphia painter, Arthur Decosta. I'm not sure where Dugan went to art school but it may have been the Philadelphia Museum School of Industrial Arts which my mother and father attended in the early 1940s. I know he socialized with them at that time. Hope this is helpful.