T. S. Sullivant
Encyclopedia
Thomas Starling Sullivant (1854–1926) was an influential American cartoonist who signed his work T. S. Sullivant. Best known today for his animal caricatures, he drew political cartoons and illustrated children's books.
He was born in Columbus, Ohio
, where his father, William Starling Sullivant
, was a leading bryologist
. At the age of 18, Sullivant left Columbus and lived in Europe for several years, eventually returning to live in Philadelphia. In 1885, he studied under Thomas Eakins
at the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts
, Sullivant was told to send his art around to the top publications of the period. In 1886, when Sullivant was 32, his first published cartoons appeared in the minor humor magazine Truth. The following year, he surfaced in the leading humor publication Puck
, and his work was also in other periodicals, including Harper's Weekly and Texas Siftings. Soon he was seen in the pages of Life
with his "Aesop to Date" series and other cartoons.
He studied with the Philadelphia painter Edward Moran
, and he became an apprentice to illustrator E. B. Bensell
, noted for his pen-and-ink drawings and wood engravings. Godey's Lady's Book
described Bensell as “an illustrator of the old school, who drew on the wooden block”.
Sullivant was a member of the Philadelphia Sketch Club
from 1888 to 1904. By the turn of the century, Sullivant switched from Life to Judge. In 1904, he signed on to draw political cartoons for William Randolph Hearst
, continuing in that position until 1907. Leaving Hearst, he studied in Europe, returning to the pages of Life in 1911. He continued to contribute to Life until his death in 1926.
and Jim Woodring
, who wrote a scholarly article on him for The Comics Journal
.
He was born in Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
, where his father, William Starling Sullivant
William Starling Sullivant
William Starling Sullivant was a US bryologist.He was the son of Lucas Sullivant and Sarah Starling. He studied at Ohio University at Athens, Ohio. He made Bachelor of Arts in 1823 at Yale.Sullivant became the leading expert on mosses and liverworts of his time...
, was a leading bryologist
Bryology
Bryology is the branch of botany concerned with the scientific study of bryophytes . Bryophytes were first studied in detail in the 18th century...
. At the age of 18, Sullivant left Columbus and lived in Europe for several years, eventually returning to live in Philadelphia. In 1885, he studied under Thomas Eakins
Thomas Eakins
Thomas Cowperthwait Eakins was an American realist painter, photographer, sculptor, and fine arts educator...
at the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts
Magazines
Seeking the opinion of artist A. B. FrostA. B. Frost
Arthur Burdett Frost , was an early American illustrator, graphic artist and comics writer. He was also well known as a painter. Frost's work is well known for its dynamic representation of motion and sequence. Frost is considered one of the great illustrators in the "Golden Age of American...
, Sullivant was told to send his art around to the top publications of the period. In 1886, when Sullivant was 32, his first published cartoons appeared in the minor humor magazine Truth. The following year, he surfaced in the leading humor publication Puck
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:...
, and his work was also in other periodicals, including Harper's Weekly and Texas Siftings. Soon he was seen in the pages of Life
Life (magazine)
Life generally refers to three American magazines:*A humor and general interest magazine published from 1883 to 1936. Time founder Henry Luce bought the magazine in 1936 solely so that he could acquire the rights to its name....
with his "Aesop to Date" series and other cartoons.
He studied with the Philadelphia painter Edward Moran
Edward Moran
Edward Moran was an American artist.He emigrated with his family to America at the age of 15, and subsequently settled in Philadelphia, where after having followed his fathers trade of weaver, he became a pupil of James Hamilton and Paul Weber...
, and he became an apprentice to illustrator E. B. Bensell
Edmund Birckhead Bensell
Edmund Birckhead Bensell was an American artist and illustrator, usually known as E. B. Bensell. While an accomplished painter, he is best known for his ink drawings, particularly his illustrations for Charles F...
, noted for his pen-and-ink drawings and wood engravings. Godey's Lady's Book
Godey's Lady's Book
Godey's Lady's Book, alternatively known as Godey's Magazine and Lady's Book, was a United States magazine which was published in Philadelphia. It was the most widely circulated magazine in the period before the Civil War. Its circulation rose from 70,000 in the 1840s to 150,000 in 1860...
described Bensell as “an illustrator of the old school, who drew on the wooden block”.
Sullivant was a member of the Philadelphia Sketch Club
Philadelphia Sketch Club
The Philadelphia Sketch Club, founded on November 20, 1860, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is one of America’s oldest artists' clubs. The club's own web page proclaims it the oldest. Prominent members have included Joseph Pennell, Thomas Eakins, Howard Chandler Christy, and N.C...
from 1888 to 1904. By the turn of the century, Sullivant switched from Life to Judge. In 1904, he signed on to draw political cartoons for William Randolph Hearst
William Randolph Hearst
William Randolph Hearst was an American business magnate and leading newspaper publisher. Hearst entered the publishing business in 1887, after taking control of The San Francisco Examiner from his father...
, continuing in that position until 1907. Leaving Hearst, he studied in Europe, returning to the pages of Life in 1911. He continued to contribute to Life until his death in 1926.
Books
- "Fables for the Times” (R.H. Russel & Son, 1896) reprinted the series "Aesop to Date" from Life
- "Sullivant's ABC Zoo" (The Old Wine Press, New York, 1946), collection of animal cartoons
Influence
Sullivant influenced numerous cartoonists, notably Walt KellyWalt Kelly
Walter Crawford Kelly, Jr. , or Walt Kelly, was an American animator and cartoonist, best known for the comic strip, Pogo. He began his animation career in 1936 at Walt Disney Studios, contributing to Pinocchio and Fantasia. Kelly resigned in 1941 at the age of 28 to work at Post-Hall Syndicate,...
and Jim Woodring
Jim Woodring
Jim Woodring is a Seattle-based cartoonist, comic book author, artist and toy designer. He also produces fine art works in a variety of other media, including painting and charcoal....
, who wrote a scholarly article on him for The Comics Journal
The Comics Journal
The Comics Journal, often abbreviated TCJ, is an American magazine of news and criticism pertaining to comic books, comic strips and graphic novels...
.