NICHOLAS ANGELO
FINE ART

Thomas Hart Benton, Missouri's "regional" artist, died as he lived-brush in hand-just three months shy of his 86th birthday. As the sturdy, stubby bear of a man sat studying a just-completed mural, he tumbled lifeless from his studio chair.

Tom Benton was born April 15, 1889 in Neosho, Missouri into the illustrious clan which included Senator Thomas Hart Benton, the great-uncle whose name he bore. Young Tom's father was a Neosho lawyer. He served as U.S. Representative (1896-1904), and later as U.S. Attorney.