William Henry Walker - A man in ornate armor. His shield reads ‘American Drama’

William Henry Walker 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.

More Artworks by William Henry Walker (View all 1038 Artworks)

First acceptance

First acceptance (1895)

William Henry Walker (American, 1871-1938)
A fat man attacks a female angel in October. He remembers her walking with him peacefully at The Hague in July.

A fat man attacks a female angel in October. He remembers her walking with him peacefully at The Hague in July. (1899)

William Henry Walker (American, 1871-1938)
A young man in a scholar’s robe, with boxing cloves representing the sciences and athletics, punches a man in Roman robes representing philosophy.

A young man in a scholar’s robe, with boxing cloves representing the sciences and athletics, punches a man in Roman robes representing philosophy. (1903)

William Henry Walker (American, 1871-1938)
Uncle Sam dances with a skeleton in uniform, representing War, while a female angel watches them and weeps.

Uncle Sam dances with a skeleton in uniform, representing War, while a female angel watches them and weeps. (1899)

William Henry Walker (American, 1871-1938)
Fool – that’s all

Fool – that’s all (1918)

William Henry Walker (American, 1871-1938)
Will he pass

Will he pass (1910)

William Henry Walker (American, 1871-1938)
Olympic Games. In the new Berlin Stadium

Olympic Games. In the new Berlin Stadium (1915)

William Henry Walker (American, 1871-1938)
The Committee of Five and citizens are depicted as knights on a crusade against Tammany

The Committee of Five and citizens are depicted as knights on a crusade against Tammany (1901)

William Henry Walker (American, 1871-1938)
Nowhere to go but out

Nowhere to go but out (1917)

William Henry Walker (American, 1871-1938)
A boy at age 17, smoking and handing money to a man riding a fake horse

A boy at age 17, smoking and handing money to a man riding a fake horse (1911)

William Henry Walker (American, 1871-1938)
St. John of the Rocks. Smitting the Rock or Striking Standard Oil

St. John of the Rocks. Smitting the Rock or Striking Standard Oil (1911)

William Henry Walker (American, 1871-1938)
Theodore Roosevelt, depicted as a child, shakes his fist

Theodore Roosevelt, depicted as a child, shakes his fist (1902)

William Henry Walker (American, 1871-1938)
A black family stands before their hut and animals.

A black family stands before their hut and animals. (1899)

William Henry Walker (American, 1871-1938)
A group of men chop up and examine a pole in the snow, probably the North Pole

A group of men chop up and examine a pole in the snow, probably the North Pole (1898)

William Henry Walker (American, 1871-1938)
Messrs Klaw and Erlanger en route to the Holy Land

Messrs Klaw and Erlanger en route to the Holy Land (1910)

William Henry Walker (American, 1871-1938)