Keith Birdsong (July 14, 1959 – June 4, 2019)[1] was an American illustrator,[2] known best for illustrating covers of Star Trek novels, which usually depicted the various characters of the Star Trek television series and movies in a realistic manner.
He then moved to Missouri, where he finished school, and got married before joining the United States Army, serving in the 82nd Airborne Division.
[citation needed] In addition to book covers, Birdsong's work has appeared in films, on collectors' plates for the Hamilton Collection and the Bradford Exchange, and on U.S. postage stamps, including an issuance honoring American Indian dance and six "Celebrate the Century" stamps that commemorated the 1960s.
[citation needed] Birdsong's family includes Sheila Corley, his sister DeeJay Gaugh, his daughter Candice Jordan, and two granddaughters.
[citation needed] In June 2018, Keith had a hemorrhagic stroke and doctors told him he would never walk or talk again, much less paint.