MR RYAN COOPER

A native of California, born in Los Angeles and raised and educated in Steinbeck's coastal community of Monterey. Ryan began his career as a graphic artist and cartoonist, working for McGraw-Hill Publishing Company. There he illustrated educational testing material, in addition to children's books, cartoons and gameboards. Later he took a position as Art Director at Brooks/Cole Publishing Company. In 1983 he moved to New England where he continued working as a freelance artist for various publishing houses. In 1972 Ryan began a correspondence with Otto Frank, father of Anne Frank, which led to a life long friendship. That friendship is poignantly illustrated in Ryan's book: "We Never Said Goodbye: Memories of Otto Frank". Ryan has taken the importance of Anne Frank as a tool in teaching the Holocaust to young people, speaking at schools and other institutions. In addition to his book, Ryan has contributed to the newly released book: "Meeting Anne Frank" by Tim Whittome. The vast archive of letters and personal mementos Ryan received from Otto Frank and others who were part of Anne's short life were given to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington DC, where they can be seen. Ryan also wears another hat as a noted maritime historian, collector and dealer. He has written essays on the subject in various publications and books and acts as a consultant to major maritime museums.