Bernhard Gillam
Encyclopedia
Bernhard Gillam was an English-born American political cartoonist.
Gillam arrived in New York with his parents in 1866. He worked as a copyist in a lawyer’s office, but switched to the study of engraving, and later, after some of his cartoons had appeared in the New York Graphic
, turned to cartooning. His work appeared in Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, Harper's Weekly
, where he worked with Thomas Nast
during James A. Garfield's campaign of 1880, and Puck Magazine
where he came under the influence of Joseph Keppler. Gillam also produced work for Judge, a magazine of which he became director-in-chief in 1886.
Gillam's cartoons on James G. Blaine
during the 1884 US presidential campaign played a large part in Grover Cleveland
's election to office. "Phryne before the Chicago Tribunal", which appeared in the Puck issue of June 4, 1884, showed Blaine's body covered in tattoos detailing corruption charges from his political past. Blaine threatened legal action, but backed down on the advice of his political friends. Oddly, Gillam was a Republican who voted for Blaine in 1884.
During the presidential campaigns of 1888 and 1892, Gillam’s cartoons depicted the dangers of the free-trade policy of the Democrats and the benefits of Republican protectionism.
Bernhard Gillam died of typhoid fever
in 1896.
Gillam arrived in New York with his parents in 1866. He worked as a copyist in a lawyer’s office, but switched to the study of engraving, and later, after some of his cartoons had appeared in the New York Graphic
New York Graphic
The New York Evening Graphic was a tabloid newspaper published from 1924 to 1932 by Bernarr "Bodylove" Macfadden...
, turned to cartooning. His work appeared in Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, Harper's Weekly
Harper's Weekly
Harper's Weekly was an American political magazine based in New York City. Published by Harper & Brothers from 1857 until 1916, it featured foreign and domestic news, fiction, essays on many subjects, and humor...
, where he worked with Thomas Nast
Thomas Nast
Thomas Nast was a German-born American caricaturist and editorial cartoonist who is considered to be the "Father of the American Cartoon". He was the scourge of Boss Tweed and the Tammany Hall machine...
during James A. Garfield's campaign of 1880, and Puck Magazine
Puck (magazine)
Puck was America's first successful humor magazine of colorful cartoons, caricatures and political satire of the issues of the day. It was published from 1871 until 1918.-History:...
where he came under the influence of Joseph Keppler. Gillam also produced work for Judge, a magazine of which he became director-in-chief in 1886.
Gillam's cartoons on James G. Blaine
James G. Blaine
James Gillespie Blaine was a U.S. Representative, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, U.S. Senator from Maine, two-time Secretary of State...
during the 1884 US presidential campaign played a large part in Grover Cleveland
Grover Cleveland
Stephen Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. Cleveland is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms and therefore is the only individual to be counted twice in the numbering of the presidents...
's election to office. "Phryne before the Chicago Tribunal", which appeared in the Puck issue of June 4, 1884, showed Blaine's body covered in tattoos detailing corruption charges from his political past. Blaine threatened legal action, but backed down on the advice of his political friends. Oddly, Gillam was a Republican who voted for Blaine in 1884.
During the presidential campaigns of 1888 and 1892, Gillam’s cartoons depicted the dangers of the free-trade policy of the Democrats and the benefits of Republican protectionism.
Bernhard Gillam died of typhoid fever
Typhoid fever
Typhoid fever, also known as Typhoid, is a common worldwide bacterial disease, transmitted by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the feces of an infected person, which contain the bacterium Salmonella enterica, serovar Typhi...
in 1896.