Edward Williams Clay (April 17, 1799 – December 31, 1857) was an American artist, illustrator and political cartoonist. He created the notoriously racist collection of lithographs titled '' Life in Philadelphia''. He was also a notable comic strip pioneer.

Early life

In 1799, Edward Williams Clay was born in

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Sinc ...

. His parents were Robert Clay and Eliza Williams. Robert Clay was a sea captain. He attended law school and as of 1825 was a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. He started working as an engraver while in law school. He quit his work in law and became a full-time artist.

Career

From around 1825 until 1828 he studied art in Europe. Starting in 1828 until circa 1830 he drew and published '' Life in Philadelphia'', which today, is seen as a "pointedly racist" depiction of early

African American African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ens ...

life in Philadelphia. Starting in 1831, he focused on

political cartoon A political cartoon, a form of editorial cartoon, is a cartoon graphic with caricatures of public figures, expressing the artist's opinion. An artist who writes and draws such images is known as an editorial cartoonist. They typically combine ...

s. That year, he created the work "The Rats Leaving a Falling House," about

Andrew Jackson Andrew Jackson (March 15, 1767 – June 8, 1845) was an American lawyer, planter, general, and statesman who served as the seventh president of the United States from 1829 to 1837. Before being elected to the presidency, he gained fame as ...

. In 1837, Clay relocated to

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Un ...

. He created illustrations and art for books, magazines, and sheet music.

Death and legacy

While still living in New York, his eyesight started to deteriorate, and he stopping working as an artist. He moved to Delaware and served as Clerk of the Court of Chancery. He also worked as Clerk of the Orphan's Court until 1856. He died in New York City in 1857 of

tuberculosis Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease usually caused by '' Mycobacterium tuberculosis'' (MTB) bacteria. Tuberculosis generally affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body. Most infections show no symptoms, i ...

. He is buried in Philadelphia at

Christ Church Burial Ground Christ Church Burial Ground in Philadelphia is an important early-American cemetery. It is the final resting place of Benjamin Franklin and his wife, Deborah. Four other signers of the Declaration of Independence are buried here, Benjamin Rush, ...

Racial cartoons

* '' Life in Philadelphia'' (1828-1830) *"Road to Philadelphy," (ca. 1830-31),

The Library Company of Philadelphia The Library Company of Philadelphia (LCP) is a non-profit organization based in Philadelphia. Founded in 1731 by Benjamin Franklin as a library, the Library Company of Philadelphia has accumulated one of the most significant collections of hist ...

, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania File:Life in Philadelphia. How you like de new fashiom shirt, Miss Florinda - lith. of Imbert. LCCN2014649026 cropped.jpg, ''Life in Philadelphia'' (1829), plate 9 File:Clay Life in Phila Plate12.jpg, ''Life in Philadelphia'' (1829), plate 12 File:Jimcrow.jpg, "Mr. T. Rice as the Original Jim Crow" (1832)

Political cartoons

File:The rats leaving a falling house LCCN2008661748.jpg, "The Rats Leaving a Falling House" (1831) File:1832bank1.jpg, "President Jackson Destroying the Second Bank of the United States" (1833) File:Edward Williams Clay, The Times (2920683888).jpg, "The Times" (1837) File:America - E.W.C. LCCN2003690759.jpg, "America" (1841)

References

External links

Lambiek Comiclopedia article.

Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum Art Database
{{DEFAULTSORT:Clay, Edward Williams 1799 births 1857 deaths American printmakers American cartoonists American comics artists Artists from Philadelphia Painters from Pennsylvania Lawyers from Philadelphia 19th-century deaths from tuberculosis Artists from New York City Tuberculosis deaths in New York (state) 19th-century American lawyers