William Charles (1776–1820) was a
Scottish-born
engraver who emigrated to the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
and is now known best for his
political cartoons
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 ...
, especially "The Hartford Convention or LEAP NO LEAP", perhaps the most widely printed illustration regarding that historic subject. He is also notable for being a pioneer in
comics.
Life and career
He was born in
Edinburgh
Edinburgh ( ; gd, Dùn Èideann ) is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 council areas. Historically part of the county of Midlothian (interchangeably Edinburghshire before 1921), it is located in Lothian on the southern shore of t ...
but little is known about his early life and training. Charles had published political caricatures in Edinburgh and
London
London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...
before immigrating to America. He worked extensively in
New York and
Philadelphia
Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania#Municipalities, largest city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the List of United States cities by population, sixth-largest city i ...
from about 1806 until his death.
[Lanmon, Lorraine Welling, "American Caricature in the English Tradition: The Personal and Political Satires of William Charles", article in ''Winterthur Portfolio'', Vol. 11, 1976, pp. 1-51, first page as displayed online at Web site for JSTOR, described on the Web page as "an online journal archive made available to researchers through participating libraries"]
readable page size
Easier-to-download page size; accessed October 22, 2006
"Charles ... must be regarded as an instrumental figure in transferring the techniques and vocabulary of the English caricaturists to an American context," according to Lorraine Welling Lanmon.
[
Satirical cartoons were his forte, but he also created landscapes and book illustrations. He worked in etching, line and stipple engraving, as well as aquatint.][
"His work rarely reached significant artistic heights", Lanmon wrote in an article on Charles. He was "neither an expert draftsman nor an accomplished technician" although some of his works showed expertise in both draftsmanship and technique, she wrote.][
His most well-known cartoons concern the ]War of 1812
The War of 1812 (18 June 1812 – 17 February 1815) was fought by the United States, United States of America and its Indigenous peoples of the Americas, indigenous allies against the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, United Kingdom ...
.[
]
Individual cartoons
Bruin Become MEDIATOR or Negotiation for PEACE
The cartoon (shown at the top of this article), was engraved by Charles in New York City in about 1813 and refers to the English-Russian War of 1812. Charles depicts John Bull (Britain), Columbia (the United States) and a bruin (the bear traditionally representing Russia).
Website of Lilly Library, University of Indiana, accessed October 23, 2006[
John Bull: Pray Mr Bruin try if you can make up this little Difference between us-The Wasps and Hornets have Stung me so hard I wish I had never disturbed their Nests.
Bruin: Let me unite your hands Madam-Johny and I have been very friendly since I sent him my Fleet to take care of----
Columbia: I thank you Mr Bruin but I cannot trust the Bull. 'Tho he has promised to draw his HORNS he must be safe bound to the Stake before I treat with him.
]
''The Hartford Convention or LEAP NO LEAP''
The 1814 cartoon attacks the Hartford Convention
The Hartford Convention was a series of meetings from December 15, 1814, to January 5, 1815, in Hartford, Connecticut, United States, in which the New England Federalist Party met to discuss their grievances concerning the ongoing War of 1812 and ...
, a series of secret meetings New England Federalists held in December of that year. Charles caricatures radical secessionist leader Timothy Pickering
Timothy Pickering (July 17, 1745January 29, 1829) was the third United States Secretary of State under Presidents George Washington and John Adams. He also represented Massachusetts in both houses of Congress as a member of the Federalist Party ...
and also depicts as characters the convention members Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, along with British King George III
George III (George William Frederick; 4 June 173829 January 1820) was King of Great Britain and of Ireland from 25 October 1760 until the union of the two kingdoms on 1 January 1801, after which he was King of the United Kingdom of Great Br ...
.
Harpweek Web site, Web page titled "Harpweek: American Political Prints, 1776-1876: The Hartford Convention or LEAP NO LEAP", accessed October 22, 2006[ (Pickering lived in Essex County, Massachusetts.)
On a cliff above him, Massachusetts, pulls Rhode Island and Connecticut toward the edge.][
Massachusetts says: What a dangerous leap!!! but we must jump Brother Conn.
Connecticut: I cannot Brother Mass; let me pray and fast some time longer—little Rhode will jump the first.][
Rhode Island: Poor little I, what will become of me? this leap is of a frightful size—I sink into despondency.][
On the right, George III calls: "O'tis my Yankey boys! jump in my fine fellows; plenty molasses and Codfish; plenty of goods to Smuggle; Honours, titles and Nobility into the bargain."][
In the lower lefthand corner is a medallion inscribed with the names of Perry, McDonough, Hull, and other heroes of the War of 1812. The ribbon on the medallion reads, "This is the produce of the land they wish to abandon."][
The cartoon, an etching, was published in Philadelphia by Samuel Kennedy in 1814. Charles signed the piece, "Wm Charles , Sc. lpsit.
]
JOHNNY BULL and the ALEXANDRIANS
The British seized Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria is an independent city in the northern region of the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States. It lies on the western bank of the Potomac River approximately south of downtown Washington, D.C.
In 2020, the population was 159,467. ...
(across the Potomac from Washington, D.C.
)
, image_skyline =
, image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...
in 1814. Charles here ridicules the townspeople for their lack of serious resistance to the enemy.
Etching produced in Philadelphia. ("Pubd. and Sold... by Wm. Charles" and "Wm. Charles Sc. lpsit.)
Donald A. Heald Rare Books Maps and Prints Web site, Web page titled: "5 results found CHARLES, William (1776-1820)", accessed October 22, 2006
Indiana University Lilly Library Web site, Web page titled "America in Caricature: 1765-1865:The War of 1812:Picture Album:JOHNNY BULL and the ALEXANDRIANS", accessed October 23, 2006, the following dialogue is taken from the Web page
Johnny Bull (with the head of a bull): I must have all your Flour---All your Tobacco---All your Provisions---All your ships---All your Merchandize---Every thing except your Porter and Perry keep them out of my sight, I 've had enough of them already.---
Yankey (one of two, kneeling, on left): Pray Mr Bull don't be too hard with us--- you know we were always friendly, even in time of your Embargo!
British Soldier: Push on Jack, the yankeys are not all so cowardly as these Fellows here. Let's make the best of your time.---
Jack: Huzza Boys!!! More Rum more Tobacco!---
David Porter (naval officer), David Porter and Oliver Perry were American heroes of the War of 1812.
JOHN BULL and the BALTIMOREANS
The cartoon, an 1814 etching, with roulette work, was created in Philadelphia. ("Pubd. And sold ... by Wm. Charles")[
The cartoon depicts the stiff resistance made in Baltimore to the British invaders (as opposed to the lack of resistance from Alexandria, Virginia, depicted above).]
Harpweek Web site, Web page titled "Harpweek: American Political Prints, 1776-1876:JOHN BULL and the BALTIMOREANS", accessed October 23, 2006[
American soldier prods John Bull (a bull in seaman's outfit) and says: "Oh! hoh! -- Johnny you thought you had Alexandrians to deal with did you -- But we'll teach you to know what a flogging is!!!"
John Bull: "Mercy! mercy on me -- What fellows those Baltimoreans are -- After the example of the Alexandrians I thought I had nothing to do but enter the Town and carry off the Booty -- And here is nothing but Defeat and Disgrace!!!"
On the right a mounted officer, possibly Admiral Cockburn urges the British to turn and fight: "What's the Matter! you Cowardly rascals! Back back and execute the orders of your Government --We must attack every point that's assailable!"
A Highlander replies: "In gude troth Admiral I think ye are as mad as our government Dinna ye ken the General's kilt -- ye must only attack sie places as Hampton, Havre de Grace, or Alexandria."
In the background an American sniper fires at mounted Scottish General Robert Ross.
Sniper: "Now for this Chap on Horseback with the plaid Bonnet on -- There -- there's a Rifle pill for you -- Thats a quietus."
Ross: "Deil ictak that Republican rascal wi his Rifle gun for he's blawn my brains out."
]
Other prominent works
* ''John Bull making a new Batch of Ships to send to the Lakes'' (1814)—Philadelphia, "Pubd. And sold ... by Wm. Charles"[
*''Democracy - against the - Unnatural Union. Trial Octr. 14th 1817'' (1817)—Possibly done in Philadelphia. Etching, with roulette work, "Designed and Executed by one who has neither place nor pension" Satirical, partisan take on the gubernatorial election in Pennsylvania between William Findlay and Joseph Heister.][
]
Notes
External links
Lambiek Comiclopedia article.
Description of some of Charles' more well-known works from Donald A. Head Rare Books, Maps and Prints Web site
{{DEFAULTSORT:Charles, William
1776 births
1820 deaths
American editorial cartoonists
Scottish editorial cartoonists
American caricaturists
Scottish caricaturists
Scottish emigrants to the United States
American comics artists
Scottish comics artists