Arthur Garfield Learned, was born in Chelsea, MA. He attended art schools in Munich and Vienna for two years and studied etching in Paris from 1907 to 1908. While he always had the love and talent for art, it was these experiences that led him to become a much sought after portrait artist and illustrator.

It was in 1900 that he married the love of his life, Leila Helen Sprague. Together they had one son, Bruce. Arthur began his career on the art staff of the Boston Herald illustrating various projects and novels. In 1906, he and Mrs. Learned produced their own gift book, Adam's Sons, a compilation of sayings about men, following a similar book about women called Eve's daughters, which he illustrated for Dana Estes.