Sunday, January 17, 2010

National Cartoonist Society Profile: John Cullen Murphy


I was born in New York City 1919. Raised in Chicago. Studied at Art Institute age nine. Moved East in 1930, studied with Booth, Rockwell, Bridgman, Dickson, etc. Did covers for Liberty and Collier's magazines. Spent six years in army from 1940-46. Was battery commander G-2, Aide de-Camp, in the Pacific Theater from Private to Major. Painted MacArthur Family and many military people plus war paintings for Chicago Tribune. After the war, illustrations and covers for Sport, Holiday, Look, etc. Started "Big Ben Bolt" with E. Caplin in 1949 for King Features Syndicate ... Married Joan Byrne in 1951 and have eight wonderful children, fourteen grandchildren. In 1970 began illustrating "Prince Valiant" for Hal Foster... Was President of National Cartoonist Society ...won six story strip and Segar Awards. Son Cullen now writes the Val stories while Meg letters and colors them.

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