Author Description

This book is the first major study of Britain's pioneering graphic satirist, Sir Francis Carruthers Gould (1844-1925), the first staff political cartoonist on a daily newspaper in Britain, and the first of his kind to be knighted. Written by the distinguished media historian, Colin Seymour-Ure, it is essential reading for anyone interested in cartoons, caricature and illustration. Reprinted here in book form for the first time is Professor Seymour-Ure's essay 'How Special Are Cartoonists', first published 50 years ago to mark the inauguration of the British Cartoon Archive at the University of Kent. A personal 'miscellany' rather than a detailed biography, the book examines Gould's career from when he left work at the London Stock Exchange to become political cartoonist on the influential Pall Mall Gazette and later the Westminster Gazette until his retirement after the First World War. It also discusses his monthly Picture Politics, as well as his illustrations for magazines and books and his own 'Froissart's Modern Chronicles' series. In addition, there is an analysis of the symbolism and literary allusion used in his drawings to lampoon such eminent politicians as Gladstone, Joseph Chamberlain and Arthur Balfour. Never unkind in his work ('I etch with vinegar not vitriol'), Gould was the leading satirical artist of his day. As Lord Baker says in his Foreword, this book is 'a major contribution to our knowledge of British cartooning.'