Despite having written one of the classic novels novels of all time, American Howard Pyle (1853 – 1911) was such an accomplished artist that it’s proper to name his as an illustrator first and an author second. Since this site is concerned primarily with literature, however, our focus will be on his literary accomplishments, including his 1883 novel The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood (full title The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood of Great Renown in Nottinghamshire ) and his 1902 publication of The Story of King Arthur and his Knights .