A decade after the Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist departed The Inquirer, a colleague reflects on his memorable career — and mourns the decimated state of their still-vital profession.
Former Philadelphia Inquirer editorial cartoonist Signe Wilkinson
remembers her friend and colleague Tony Auth for that paper.
Tony looked past personalities and repeatedly highlighted issues — the blight of poverty, the perils of racism and bias, public corruption and gun violence in cartoons that still grab us by our consciences. So many of Tony’s illustrations resonate as strongly today as the day he drew them.
Tony’s clean style with a minimum of cross-hatching or shading attracted many younger cartoonists, including me, whom he kindly welcomed and mentored.
After reading Signe’s remembrance
check out the Tony Auth website for some amazing commentary.
Two years after leaving The Inquirer Tony passed away.
At that time Mike Peterson lauded Tony Auth’s career.
I had been wondering why Tony Auth hadn’t published a new cartoon in two months. Last night, he died in hospice.
I didn’t know him personally, but I have admired his work for years, and am not in the least surprised that the tributes from those who did know the man behind the pen reflect so much on what a good guy he was.
Signe, fabulous my dear. Tony was a giant and it was a joy to have him as a friend! Mike peters.