Thursday, November 03, 2022

The New Yorker's Emma Allen and David Remnick on George Booth

New Yorker Cartoon Editor Emma Allen sent this note yesterday:

"I wanted to pass along the note that David Remnick sent around to editorial staff last night, about George Booth's passing. It's so hard to believe that such an utter, joyful force of nature is gone, and nearly impossible to process the incredible loss to all of us who were lucky enough to know him, and learn from him."

Here's David Remnick:


"Dear All,

"At The New Yorker we are beyond fortunate to publish some extraordinary artists. One of the most original was George Booth, who sold his first drawing to the magazine in 1969 and filled The New Yorker with a kind of wild delight for decades thereafter. I just got word from Emma Allen, who has been such a stalwart friend to the Booth family, that George died today. He was ninety-six. If you know his countless drawings and covers, you know that he created an astonishing world, one that was wholly his own: chaotic, strange, beyond hilarious. He was in the Marines--- and then reenlisted after the War to work for the Corps' magazine, "Leatherneck." He collaborated with Dr. Seuss. His dogs and cats are the dogs and cats that I love best. There was an immense sweetness to George. No one had a smile or a manner quite like his.

"I am sure we will be publishing more by George and about him in the coming days. In the meantime, here is a short and lovely piece that Emma wrote about him not so long ago....

"Our condolences to George's family and friends....
"As ever,
"David"

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