President Eisenhower & the cartoonists

The people who visit the White House, aside from the occasional tourists, are mostly dignitaries and heads of State. In some cases a well known celebrity or an entertainer will be invited to perform for a special event. But cartoonists…?

In June, 1954, President Eisenhower met with members of the National Cartoonists Society in Washington. The Society, composed of men and women who are considered to be among the foremost exponents of the cartoonist’s art in the nation, wished to confer honorary membership upon one of the few Presidents since Thomas Jefferson who was evidenced and exercised any talents as an artist.

The occasion took the form of a breakfast. While the courses were being served and exchanges of talk were going on, artists had free hands with drawing paper, pencil or pen sketching the president.