As the staff artist for the Richmond High School magazine, Argus, Mr. Williams did his first cartoons. He studied at the Cincinnati Art Academy and at the Art Institute of Chicago. He served as the staff artist for the Chicago Daily News and the Indianapolis News before settling in Chicago permanently to work for the Chicago Tribune until his death in 1935.

Williams was credited with paying more attention to the “common man”, his struggles and fears as apposed to the grand issues of the day. No doubt growing up in the small town of Richmond, gave him insight and understanding of the American culture. By the time of his death, his cartoons could be seen in thirty-nine newspapers around the country.

Born: 1880
Died: 1935

Preferred Media: Cartoonist

Additional Information & Images:

Manuscripts

• The Williams - Kuhn mss., 1921-1932

• The Gaar Williams - Kin Hubbard Collection (.pdf)

• A Checklist of the Blanche Stillson Collection in the Irwin Library of Butler University

Images

• Fighting for Healthy Milk (.pdf - editorial cartoon on p. 12)

• Our Secret Ambition

Videos

An edited excerpt from the silent 1931 promotional documentary, "From Trees to Tribunes," - Gaar Williams is the 2nd featured cartoonist.

Sources:

• Newton, Judith Vale and Carol Weiss, A Grand Tradition: The Art and Artists of the Hoosier Salon, 1925-1990. Indianapolis, Indiana: Hoosier Salon Patrons Association, Inc., 1993.