From the Dick Buchanan Files: The Life and Cartoons of Tom Henderson

Tom Henderson's single panel magazine cartoons were everywhere. Within a year of his first sale, he was a top-selling gag cartoonist. Here's Dick Buchanan with a lot more about Tom Henderson's life, work, and, also, of course, many samples of his work. Thanks and take it away, Dick!

TOM HENDERSON
(1920 – 1970)




Tom Henderson. “What’s Funny About That?” E.P. Dutton Inc., 1954.


Tom Henderson was a cartoonist and illustrator best known for his work in The Saturday Evening Post.
He was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, but grew up in Chicago where he attended Wabash College and the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts. 

Henderson sold his first cartoon in 1945 and he was top cartoonist in point of sales to five largest magazines for 1946. He contributed to the Saturday Evening Post. Collier's, Look, This Week Magazine, True Magazine, Popular Science and1000 Jokes Magazine among many others.

In 1956 Henderson created a weekly feature, “Fan Fare,” for This Week Magazine. This series appeared weekly featuring one of Henderson’s favorite targets, the wealthy, entitled, clueless members of the upper crust.

Like many other cartoonists Henderson, in addition to drawing gag cartoons for magazines, had many advertising clients. He created illustrated advertising campaigns for clients including General Electric, Shell Oil Co., American Express, Yale & Towne, Pennsylvania Tire Co., and Johnson & Johnson, among others.

Here just a few of the gag cartoons Tom Henderson created over the years . . .

 
American Magazine April, 1945.

 

 

This Week Magazine April 1, 1945.

Liberty Magazine August 10, 1946.

True Magazine August, 1946.

This Week Magazine April 27, 1947.

American Legion Magazine March, 1947.

The Saturday Evening Post September 27, 1947.

The Saturday Evening Post February 21, 1948.

Holsum Advertisement, week of May 28, 1949.

The Saturday Evening Post July 1, 1950.

The Saturday Evening Post February 7, 1951.

The Saturday Evening Post June 21, 1952.

This Week Magazine July 13, 1952.

The Saturday Evening Post June 6, 1953.

The Saturday Evening Post October 23, 1954.

Collier’s July 8, 1955.

American Legion Magazine March, 1956.

This Week Magazine August 4, 1957.

Look Magazine April 29, 1958.

The Saturday Evening Post November 21, 1959.

American Legion Magazine January, 1964.

Boys’ Life November 1968.

 

Related:

Tom Henderson's son has a site here.