Crockett Johnson
1906 - 1975Crockett Johnson (October 20, 1906 – July 11, 1975) was the pen name of David Johnson Leisk, an American cartoonist and children's book illustrator. He is renowned for his comic strip Barnaby (1942–1952) and the Harold series, starting with Harold and the Purple Crayon.
Born in New York City, Johnson grew up in Queens and studied art at Cooper Union and NYU. He chose the pseudonym Crockett Johnson because his real name was difficult to pronounce.
In the late 1920s, Johnson was an art editor for McGraw-Hill. During the Great Depression, he became politically active, contributing to the Communist Party publication New Masses and later joining its staff. He transitioned to comic strips with The Little Man with the Eyes and gained fame with Barnaby for the left-wing newspaper PM.
Johnson married writer Ruth Krauss in 1939, and they collaborated on several children’s books. Harold and the Purple Crayon was published in 1955. Johnson passed away from lung cancer in 1975.
Born in New York City, Johnson grew up in Queens and studied art at Cooper Union and NYU. He chose the pseudonym Crockett Johnson because his real name was difficult to pronounce.
In the late 1920s, Johnson was an art editor for McGraw-Hill. During the Great Depression, he became politically active, contributing to the Communist Party publication New Masses and later joining its staff. He transitioned to comic strips with The Little Man with the Eyes and gained fame with Barnaby for the left-wing newspaper PM.
Johnson married writer Ruth Krauss in 1939, and they collaborated on several children’s books. Harold and the Purple Crayon was published in 1955. Johnson passed away from lung cancer in 1975.
