Partridge, Bernard, 1861-1945

The cartoon from Punch magazine has a drawing of President Roosevelt in a cowboy / Rough Rider outfit, captioned, “With Mr. Punch’s best wishes to President Roosevelt.”

comments and context

Comments and Context

This issue of Punch is dated 11 days after Roosevelt ascended to the presidency on the death of William McKinley. Bernard Partridge was the major cartoonist of the famed London, England, weekly following Sir John Tenniel, who was also famous as the illustrator of the Lewis Carroll Alice books. Partridge, who was also an actor, was active with Punch through both World Wars.

President Roosevelt rides a horse that jumps over a “presidential election” fence. President-elect William H. Taft holds onto his boot. Caption: Mr. Taft (Breathless but Triumphant)–“Thank you, Teddy!”

comments and context

Comments and Context

One of the most famous, or most reprinted, of memorable cartoons about Theodore Roosevelt did not first appear in an American publication but in the venerable British journal of cartoons, humor, and commentary, Punch. The artist was Bernard Partridge, whose roots were on the stage but inherited the mantle of legendary cartoonist Sir John Tenniel (also remembered as the illustrator of Lewis Carroll’s Alice books).

President Roosevelt is in his Rough Rider uniform, having dressed up William H. Taft in a similar uniform, wearing a Roosevelt mask and holding “The Big Stick.” Caption: Theodore Roosevelt (to William H. Taft, his candidate for the Presidency). “There, sonny, I’ve fixed you up so they won’t know the difference between us.”

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site

Creation Date

1908-06-17