Undated photograph of Hayden aboard unidentified ship. Palmer C. Hayden (January 15, 1890 - February 18, 1973) was an American painter who depicted African-American life. He was originally called Peyton Cole Hedgeman. He grew up in the town of Widewater, Virginia, and was a self-trained artist. He worked as a laborer for the Buffalo Bill Circus, then the Ringling Brothers Circus. Afterwards, he joined the Army's black Company a, 24th Infantry regiment, and was stationed in the Philippines. He worked as a deliveryman at West Point Academy during WWI, and while there he was given the name Palmer Hayden by his commanding sergeant. He moved to Greenwich Village after he was discharged to pursue a career in fine arts. He studied at the Cooper Union in New York City and also practiced independent studies at Boothbay Art Colony in Maine. Much of Hayden's influences came from the environment around him. He enjoyed painting, and used his time in Paris for inspiration. Over his next five years in Paris, Hayden was very productive, trying to capture elements of Parisian society. On his return to America, he began working for the United States government. His body of work mostly consists of oil and watercolor paintings, but also includes pen/ink drawings. Most art historians agree that his most influential or well-known works would be the ones which reflect African-American folklore. He died in 1973 at the age of 83.