Dr. Tim Benson on Political Cartoons from a British Perspective

September Dinner

The Caxton Club, through members such as John McCutcheon, has proud connections to political cartooning. Indeed, a political cartoonist’s wife was the first woman to attend a Caxton Club meeting. Now Dr. Tim Benson will show us the history and evolution of political cartoons from a British perspective. His illustrated talk will display examples of the greatest cartoons of the 20th Century, some of which created their own history and even offended Winston Churchill. He will also discuss the evolving relationships between cartoonists and their editors and, in light of recent American developments, address whether cartoonists have a right to offend while holding those who govern us to account. Dr. Benson runs the Political Cartoon Gallery and Café in London and is Britain’s leading authority on political cartoons. He edits the annual “Britain’s Best Political Cartoons” series and has published numerous books on cartoon history including Churchill in Caricature and The Cartoon Century: Modern Britain Through the Eyes of Its Cartoonists. Copies of his books David Low Censored and Drawing the Curtain: The Cold War in Cartoons will be available for sale and signing.

September Dinner: Union League Club, 65 West Jackson. The evening will follow this order: Social gathering 5-6 pm; program at 6 pm; dinner immediately to follow. Program is free and open to the public. Beverages available for $7-$15. Three-course dinner: $66.00. Reservations are required for either the program only or the dinner/program combination. Reservations must be received no later than NOON, Monday, September 16. Payment will be required for dinner reservations cancelled after that time and for no-shows. To reserve call 312-255-3710 or e-mail caxtonclub@newberry.org.