Ken Emerson

Kenneth Albert Emerson (9 July 1927 – 12 February 2010) was an Australian cartoonist and comic strip creator. He is best known for writing the comic strips The Warrumbunglers and On The Rocks. Emerson was the son-in-law of cartoonist Eric Jolliffe.

Background Emerson was born in Sydney, the son of Albert Emerson and his wife, Ruth (Booth), who had emigrated from Belfast. He had one brother, Alf. His father died from malaria, which he contracted whilst they were based in New Guinea. His mother remarried and had another son, Denis. He spent part of his youth working in central Queensland. After leaving school, Emerson experienced a wide range of jobs including greaser, surveyor's assistant, barman, stagehand, boilermaker's assistant and builder's labourer. He spent three years studying art at East Sydney Technical College before travelling to New Zealand, where his brother Alf had moved to. In New Zealand he worked in assorted jobs including as a freelance artist.

On his return to Sydney, Emerson subsequently became a full-time artist. His began as a commercial artist and photograph retoucher in advertising, then went on to television animation before returning to advertising,

Ginger Meggs Ginger Meggs is an iconic Australian comic strip. Following the deaths of its creator Jimmy Bancks in 1952 and his replacement Ron Vivian in 1973, Emerson was one of several artists who submitted drawings to take over the strip. The role, however, went to Lloyd Piper. When Piper died in 1984 Emerson again applied for the job and was appointed. As he already had two strips published in The Sun-Herald, he was asked to drop either The Warrumbunglers or On The Rocks in favour of Ginger Meggs. He declined, and the role was offered instead to James Kemsley.

Personal In 1956 he married Margaret 'Meg' Jolliffe (the daughter of Eric Jolliffe), whom he met whilst studying at the East Sydney Technical College. In 1963 they had a daughter, Jane, who is a graphic artist. Meg died in 1997 and Emerson died on 12 February 2010.

Anthologies The Warrumbunglers On The Rocks The Warrumbunglers bushed! (1983) On The Rocks No. 2 (1983) The Warrumbunglers No. 3 (1984) On The Rocks No. 3 (1984)

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