Hans Alexander Mueller was born in Leipzig Germany. He studied at the Academy for Graphic Arts in Leipzig. After World War I he taught woodcutting and engraving at the academy. In addition to his teaching duties he designed book jackets, made illustrations, prints and paintings for a variety of clients. His illustrated books include Kidnapped, and Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, Don Quixote and Three Novels by Hamsun. He emigrated to the US before WWII.