Digital Exhibits

Anne Mergen’s editorial cartoons chronicle history from the Great Depression through the Cold War. In 1933, she was the only woman editorial cartoonist in the United States, a status that continued until her retirement in 1956. She continued to have cartoons published as late as June 1961.

Although photographs were introduced in 1839, the technology to reproduce them on the printed page did not exist until the end of the century. Instead, images were reproduced by engraving or woodcut, printing processes that were labor intensive and relatively expensive.

For more than six decades, Edwina Frances Dumm worked as a professional cartoonist. Beginning as a political cartoonist on the staff of the Columbus Daily Monitor, Edwina paved the way as the first woman employed in a full time position as editorial cartoonist.

This digital exhibition celebrates the creative genius of Columbus' most famous cartoonist and the generosity of the Elizabeth Ireland Graves Foundation which made possible the renovation of Sullivant Hall for a new home for the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum.

Light was by far the most important of lithographic comic weekly to be published outside of New York or San Francisco during the last quarter of the 19th century. It provided the first or early employment to a host of talented cartoonists, illustrators, and at least one writer who would later go on to successful careers.

Milton Caniff changed the history of the American comic strip. He was expert in both the artistic and literary aspects of the medium. The education he received at Ohio State University matured into the "every wrinkle must show" graphic style for which he became famous.

The digital version of the exhibition Ohio Cartoonists: A Bicentennial Celebration highlights the accomplishments of six of the state's most notable late nineteenth and early twentieth century newspaper and magazine cartoonists.

Sam Milai was an artist and cartoonist for the Pittsburgh Courier for 33 years. He won the National Newspaper Publisher's Association Russwurn trophy for the best cartoon 8 times during his career. Milai also created a feature titled Facts about the Negro that celebrated the accomplishments of people of color.