Senate Resolution No. 2285

BY: Senator HINCHEY

MOURNING the death of Hudson Talbott,
distinguished citizen, beloved writer, talented
artist, and devoted member of his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and this
great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Hudson Talbott of Catskill, New York, died on Thursday,
January 22, 2026, at the age of 76; and

WHEREAS, Born on July 11, 1949, in Louisville, Kentucky, Hudson
Talbott was the youngest of four children and was raised by his loving
parents, Peyton Talbott, a bank manager, and Mildred Pence Talbott, a
dress shop manager; and

WHEREAS, Early in his life, Hudson Talbott developed a love for art,
and his parents fostered and encouraged this passion and creative
expression, developing in him a belief that he had a vision worth
sharing with the world; and

WHEREAS, Hudson Talbott graduated from Waggener High School in 1967
and attended the University of Cincinnati from 1967 to 1969; he went on
to study painting and sculpture at Temple University's Tyler School of
Art, and spent a year studying at their campus in Rome, Italy, earning
his B.F.A. in 1971; and

WHEREAS, After earning his degree, Hudson Talbott continued
developing his artistic skills and arts education abroad, living and
working in Rome, Amsterdam, and Hong Kong before settling in New York
City in 1974; and

WHEREAS, Hudson Talbott worked as a freelance artist and designer in
New York City, creating notecards and calendars and completing
commissions for projects from renowned New York cultural institutions,
such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Metropolitan Opera, the
Museum of Modern Art, and Bloomingdale's; and

WHEREAS, In 1986, Hudson Talbott illustrated a 16-page picture book
for the Museum of Modern Art entitled How to Show Grown-ups the Museum,
which became his first work created for children; and

WHEREAS, Illustrations and works of art created by Hudson Talbott
began to gain significant attention and were shown at respected exhibits
including the New York Public Library and the Louvre in Paris, earning
him the attention of editors at publishing companies; and

WHEREAS, In 1987, Crown Children's Books published Hudson Talbott's
first children's picture book, We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story, featuring
dinosaurs that traveled to 20th-century New York City; this debut
picture book received critical acclaim and was adapted as an animated
feature film by Steven Spielberg in 1993; and


WHEREAS, Throughout his career as a children's picture book author
and illustrator, Hudson Talbott was able to integrate his broad range of
personal interestsand passions into his work, publishing books related
to the Hudson Valley, Arthurian legend, stories of resistance during the
Holocaust, travel, history, animals, and dinosaurs; and

WHEREAS, Hudson Talbott's work was visually appealing and
sophisticated, yet also highly accessible to his young audience; his
artwork was lush and described as similar to 18th-century French work,
and he drew inspiration from the Renaissance and the Hudson River School
of Painters; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of his work, skill, and impact, Hudson
Talbott received a 2006 Newbury Honor for his illustration of the book
Show Way, and he earned a 2022 Schneider Family Honor for A Walk in the
Words, a children's picture book adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim
musical Into the Woods; and

WHEREAS, Outside of his career, Hudson Talbott was a long-time
resident of Catskill and was a devoted community leader; he was a
founding trustee of the Thomas Cole National Historic Site in Catskill,
which preserved the history of Thomas Cole, an influential artist of the
Hudson River School of Painters art movement; and

WHEREAS, After more than 20 years of service, Hudson Talbott was the
longest-serving member of the Board of Directors of the Thomas Cole
National Historic Site and introduced the artists of tomorrow to the
works of Thomas Cole with his book Picturing America: Thomas Cole and
the Birth of American Art; and

WHEREAS, Those who had the pleasure of working closely with Hudson
Talbott have shared that his artistic vision helped them see the world
differently, and all who knew him will miss his endless imagination,
uplifting spirit, and unwavering commitment to inspiring others; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Hudson Talbott leaves behind a legacy which will long endure
the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all he
served and befriended; his books and art will continue to inspire
countless generations to come; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate the life and mourn the death of Hudson Talbott, distinguished
citizen, beloved writer, talented artist, and dedicated member of his
community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Hudson Talbott.