 Longacre was born in Delaware County , Pennsylvania in 1794 . He ran away to Philadelphia at age 12 , becoming an apprentice in a bookstore . His artistic talent developed and he was released to apprentice in an engraving firm . He struck out on his own in 1819 , making a name providing illustrations for popular biographical books . He portrayed the leading men of his day ; support from some of them , such as South Carolina Senator John C. Calhoun , led to his appointment as chief engraver after the death of Christian Gobrecht in 1844 . 
