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April 6, 2002
Herblock was the dean of American editorial cartoonists
By JIMMY MARGULIESHerblock's name was familiar tome before I really knew muchabout him. Once I decided on a careeras an editorial cartoonist, Iquickly found out why.Savoring the cartoons he haddone many years ago, two thingsoccurred to me. First, I was learningfar more about 20th-centuryAmerican history from Herblock'scartoons than I ever had from sittingin a classroom.
The other thing that stood outin my mind was what a powerfulimpact these cartoons must havehad in their time. Herblock was oneof the very few editorial cartoonistsin the middle of the 20th century,along with Paul Conrad of theLos Angeles Times and Bill Mauldinof the Chicago Sun-Times, to consistentlyproduce cartoons packinga powerful punch. His position inthe nation's capital only made thatimpact greater.
So powerful has Herblock's influencebeen that The WashingtonPost's editorial page has been characterizedas extremely liberal basedlargely on his cartoons. Earlier inmy career I worked for a group ofsuburban newspapers outsideWashington, D.C., and read the Postdaily. In fact, the newspaper is generallymore cautious and only moderatelyliberal in its views.
I had the pleasure of meetingHerblock on a couple of occasionswhen the editorial cartoonists of thenation would gather for an annualconvention. He was extremely graciousabout signing autographs forall who requested one.
Later on, I took a chance andasked him to write a foreword formy 1998 collection of cartoons, HittingBelow The Beltway. He respondedwith a very warm letter,explaining that he does not do suchwriting, but if I ever come to Washington,D.C., to please visit. Thatletter is framed and hangs on thewall above me as I write this.
Both for his longevity in practicinghis craft and his position asan icon of my field, Herblock haslong been the dean of Americaneditorial cartoonists. If he had notbeen doing his job so long and sowell, chances are I would not bedrawing cartoons for a living either.
Constructing new memorials inour nation's capital is a touchy subject,after the recent controversyover placement on the national mallof the World War II memorial. Butif anyone ever deserves to be enshrinedin this esteemed location,my vote goes to Herblock.
--The Record, October 10, 2001