Clifford Berryman’s Political Cartoons

Untitled. [Ohio, the Mother of Presidents], National Archives Identifier 306104

This week, we’re taking a look at one of the more entertaining collections at the National Archives, the Berryman Political Cartoon Collection.  

Clifford K. Berryman was one of the most prolific and famous political cartoonists in American history.  Born in Kentucky in 1869, he came to Washington in 1886 to work as a draftsman in the U.S. Patent Office.  While there, he often submitted cartoons to Washington newspapers, and in 1891, he was hired as an understudy for cartoonist George Y. Coffin at the Washington Post.  When Coffin died in 1896, Berryman was promoted to his position.

Ambitious Home Run Hitters, National Archives Identifier 1691372

While at the Washington Post, Berryman created one of his most influential cartoons titled, “And, Boys, Remember the Maine!”  It shows Uncle Sam (a frequent subject of Berryman’s drawings) on the deck of a Navy ship, pointing towards the sinking wreck of the USS Maine. 

"And, Boys, Remember the Maine!," National Archives Identifier 6010255

In 1902, Berryman created his most famous character from a popular story about President Theodore Roosevelt refusing to shoot a tired old bear while hunting.  Berryman changed the bear to a cute cub, and his cartoon inspired a toy maker in Brooklyn to begin manufacturing stuffed bears.

Self-Portrait of Clifford Berryman, National Archives Identifier 2979338

Berryman used the bear in many cartoons beginning in 1902.  When Roosevelt left office in March of 1909, Berryman used one cartoon to question if the bear should continue to appear.  Fans of the bear were happy to see that he did.

To Go or Not to Go?, National Archives Identifier 306086

As a side note, the Taft campaign tried to promote “Billy Possum,” but the idea never caught on, perhaps because he never got a flattering cartoon (or because the opossum was associated with Taft, as he enjoyed eating them).

Back In Possum Land, National Archives Identifier 6010823

Over his long career at the Washington Post and later at the Washington Star, Berryman drew every president from Grover Cleveland to Harry Truman.  He was popular with the Washington establishment because his cartoons tended to criticize policies not people, his drawings didn’t exaggerate features in unflattering ways, and he gave credit where credit was due.

Left: "Cleveland is a millstone around the Democracy's neck."- W.J. Bryan, National Archives Identifier 6010435;

Right: Untitled. [How They're Acting and How They Feel], National Archives Identifier 306083

Clifford Berryman produced over 15,000 cartoons in his long career, many of which appeared on the front page.  The Berryman Political Cartoon Collection is part of the Center for Legislative Archives at the National Archives, and contains over 2,400 pen and ink drawings.  They were donated by the Charles Engelhard Foundation in honor of former Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield.  

Political Cartoon by Clifford Berryman, "Little White Lies," National Archives Identifier 348448139

In 1944, Berryman won the Pulitzer Prize for his cartoon, “But Where is the Boat Going?”  The accomplishment was celebrated by his son, Jim Berryman, who was also a well-known political cartoonist.

Untitled, National Archives Identifier 5743132

Clifford Berryman continued drawing for the Washington Star until his death in 1949.  You can see more of his cartoons in the catalog and learn more about his work in our online exhibit Running for Office.

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