Clifford K. Berryman

Clifford Kennedy Berryman (April 2, 1869 – December 11, 1949) was a Pulitzer Prize–winning cartoonist with The Washington Star newspaper from 1907 to 1949. He was previously a cartoonist for The Washington Post from 1891 to 1907.

During his career, Berryman drew thousands of cartoons commenting on American presidents and politics. Political figures he lampooned included former Presidents Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Harry S. Truman. He is particularly known for his cartoons "Remember the Maine" and "Drawing the Line in Mississippi."

Berryman was a prominent figure in Washington, D.C. President Harry S. Truman once told him, "You are ageless and timeless. Presidents, senators and even Supreme Court justices come and go, but the Monument and Berryman stand." Berryman's cartoons can be found at the Library of Congress, the National Archives, and George Washington University, as well as archives that house presidential collections.

Berryman worked at The Washington Post until 1907, when he was hired by The Washington Star. Berryman was the first cartoonist member of the Gridiron Club and served as the organization's president in 1926.

He drew political cartoons for The Washington Star until his death in 1949.

Personal life Berryman married Kate Geddes Durfee on July 5, 1893, and they had three children: Mary Belle, who died as an infant, Florence Seville, who later became an art critic, and James Thomas, who became a Pulitzer Prize–winning cartoonist.

Berryman was a Presbyterian and an active member of the Washington Heights Presbyterian Church.

Awards

In 1944, Berryman was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning for his drawing "But Where is the Boat Going." The cartoon depicted President Franklin D. Roosevelt and other government officials trying to steer the USS Mississippi in several different directions.

Clifford K. and James T. Berryman Award for Editorial Cartooning

Since 1989, the National Press Foundation has presented the Clifford K. and James T. Berryman Award annually for editorial cartooning. Winners have included Chip Bok (1993), Jim Morin (1996), Kevin Kallaugher (2002), Rex Babin (2003), Steve Sack (2006), Matt Wuerker (2010), Nick Anderson (2011), Adam Zyglis (2013), and Clay Bennett (2014).

Death Berryman died on December 11, 1949, from a heart ailment, age 80, and is interred in Glenwood Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

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