Franklin Townsend Morgan grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and studied at the Pratt Institute and the Art Students League.  An exceptional printmaker, Key West became the focus of his work during the depression under FERA, the Federal Emergency Relief Administration, which had drawn him there along with a group of fellow artists. The goal was to lift Key West out of bankruptcy by creating a touristic image of beauty through the creation of art showing the nature and workings of the island. During this time Morgan produced a large body of work depicting the architecture, flora, fauna, and especially the rich marine activity surrounding Key West. Morgan achieved many accomplishments in his life and won several national awards for his prints. His works can be seen today in collections at the New York Public Library, the Library of Congress and the Treasury Department of the United States.