Thomas Nast

About

German-American 20th century cartoonist and caricaturist who famously created the modern Santa Claus and Republican elephant images.

Before Fame

He was born in Germany and moved to New York City as a young child. In 1855, he studied at the School of the National Academy of Design and began a career as a newspaper artist.

Trivia

His editorial cartoons called for an end to slavery and racial segregation, but also frequently included negative caricatures of Roman Catholics and the Irish.

Family Life

He and his wife, Sarah Edwards, settled in Morristown, New Jersey and raised five children together.

Associated With

Nast's Harper's Weekly political cartoons, which ridiculed the candidacy of Horace Greeley, greatly aided the presidential campaign of Ulysses S. Grant.