World-renowned cartoonist Mort Walker was born September 3, 1923, in El Dorado, KS. His family left the area around three years later; Mort grew up in Kansas City, MO.

 

Already a well-selling cartoonist, Walker was chief editor for Hallmark cards at age 18, while attending college.

 

His college education was interrupted when he was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II. Serving in the U.S. Army for four years, including time in Italy, he was discharged as a first lieutenant. At this time he re-entered college, earning his degree from the University of Missouri.

An integral member of the cartooning world for over 50 years with his strips, Beetle Bailey and Hi and Lois, he is heavily involved in the National Cartoonists Society and the Newspaper Features Council. He founded the International Museum of Cartoon Art, and today lives in Stamford, Conn.

 

Among his many honors are the 1953 Reuben from the National Cartoonists Society (cartoonist version of the Oscar) as Cartoonist of the Year, and the 1955 Silver Lady from the Banshees Club, as Outstanding Cartoonist.