Rockwell was born in New York City, on February 3, 1894. He was the son of a businessman who liked to read the works of Charles Dickens to his children.
Rockwell's early cover paintings often featured children, elderly people, and dogs in amusing situations. He continued to draw and paint similar subjects throughout his career.
Rockwell reached new heights during World War II (1939-45). This was when his famous series of painting the four freedoms (1943) celebrating democracy.
In the Look magazine in 1969 featured a Rockwell cover, depicting the imprint of Neil Armstrong's left foot on the surface of the moon after the successful moon landing.