William Walker Biography

William Henry Walker (1871-1938) was an American cartoonist and painter who had been a book illustrator and regular contributor of political and satirical cartoons to the original Life Magazine from 1898 to 1924.

He had also contributed cartoons to other periodicals and newspapers, including Harper's Magazine, The New York Evening Post and the New York Herald. He was the first to use the lithographer's crayon for cartoons, which became general practice after that.

After 1924 he turned to oil painting, principally producing landscapes and portraits of the Massachusetts area where he had his summer home.

Aside from art, Walker's interest was the Flushing Hospital and Dispensary of which he was a trustee. During WWI he had been chairman of the local Red Cross Chapter.

He was a member of the Society of Illustrators and the American Federation of Arts, the Duxbury Art Association, Psi Upsilon Fraternity, The Guild of Freelance Artists and the Author's League Association.

Walker died in January 1938 at the age of 66, leaving behind his wife Adelaide Miller and sons William Henry Walker and Alanson B. Walker.