Swain, Su Zan Noguchi
Biographical History
Su Zan Noguchi Swain (1916-2010) became a scientific illustrator with Doubleday Publishing after she graduated with a degree in arts from the University of Colorado.
Su Zan Noguchi Swain Firmage was born March 8, 1916, Iliff, Colorado to Minosuke and Tomi Noguchi. Her parents were immigrants to the United States from Japan. Su Zan received her B.S. in fine arts with a minor in biology from the University of Colorado in 1938. She married Ralph Brownlee Swain, an entomologist, and illustrated several books and guides they worked on together. They had two sons together. Ralph was an entomologist who worked in Nicaragua. SuZan and her children were present when Mr. Swain was murdered by bandits on the Pan American Highway in Mexico in 1953. Subsequently, Su Zan supported herself by writing and illustrating books on the natural world, illustrating more that twenty and designing charts and models for classrooms. She married William K. Firmage in 1968, and joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 1974. Su Zan died in 2010 in Hillsborough, Florida.
Citation:
Su Zan Noguchi Swain papers, 1958-1978 (Su Zan was born in Colorado to Japanese parents. She married Ralph B. Swain in 1938 and had two sons. Ralph was an entomologist who worked in Nicaragua. SuZan and her children were present when Mr. Swain was murdered by bandits on the Pan American Highway in Mexico in 1953. SuZan supported herself by writing and illustrating books; married William K. Firmage in 1968 and joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 1974)Denver Library, via www, October 17, 2022 (SuZan was born on March 8, 1916, in Iliff, Colorado to Minosuke and Tomi Noguchi, immigrants from Japan. Su Zan received her B.S. in fine arts with a minor in biology from the University of Colorado in 1938. Designed charts models for children classrooms. SuZan died in 2010 in Hillsborough, Florida)
Found in 9 Collections and/or Records:
All kinds of bees, 1967
Contains the book, "All Kinds of Bees," by Dorothy Shuttlesworth and illustrated by Su Zan Noguchi Swain. Also includes 39 art originals (done in charcoal pencil and rare occasional use of white gouache). Dated 1967.
Living insects of the world, 1959
Contains four original illustrations by Su Zan Noguchi Swain for the book "Living Insects of the World" by Dr. Alexander B. Klots and Dr. Elsie B. Klots. Dated 1959.
Natural partnerships : the story of symbiosis, 1969
Contains the book, "Natural Partnerships: The Story of Symbiosis," by Dorothy Shuttlesworth and illustrated by Su Zan Noguchi Swain. Also includes 31 art originals done in charcoal pencil, watercolor, and gouache.
Plants of woodland and wayside, 1958
Contains the manuscript, galley, dummy, blues, and signature for the book "Plants of Woodland and Wayside" by Dorothy Shuttlesworth and illustrated by Su Zan Noguchi Swain, and 24 art originals (most of which are watercolor paintings). There is also an uncut, rolled signature page. Dated 1958.
Story of rocks, 1966
Contains 38 original illustrations for the book "Story of Rocks" by Dorothy Shuttlesworth. Art done in watercolor, gouache, and black ink.
Su Zan Noguchi Swain papers
The new field book of freshwater life, 1966
Containes 7 original illustrations done in black ink for the book The New Field Book of Freshwater Life by Dr. Elsie B. Klots. One of the illustrations is done in watercolor. Dated 1966.
The story of ants, 1964
Contains the book The Story of Ants by Dorothy Shuttlesworth and illustrated by Su Zan Noguchi Swain and 33 art originals (most of which are ink and lithograph on acetate). Dated 1964.
The story of spiders, 1959
Contains the published book, "The Story of Spiders," by Dorothy Shuttlesworth and illustrated by Su Zan Noguchi Swain, and 23 art originals (most of which are watercolor paintings), and one book signature. Dated 1959.