Jhonny Gruelle's Biography

Johnny Gruelle (1880–1938) Johnny Gruelle (December 24, 1880 – January 8, 1938) was an American artist, political cartoonist, children s book author and illustrator (and even songwriter). He is known as the creator of Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy.... More

Johnny Gruelle (1880–1938) Johnny Gruelle (December 24, 1880 – January 8, 1938) was an American artist, political cartoonist, children s book author and illustrator (and even songwriter). He is known as the creator of Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy. He had such confidence in his design that often he would create the final ink work without first sketching in pencil. He was born John Barton Gruelle in Arcola, Illinois. His father Richard Gruelle was an artist affiliated with the Hoosier Group of Indiana artists. His first well known cartooning work was Mr. Twee Deedle which Gruelle created after he beat out 1,500 entrants to win a cartooning contest sponsored in 1911 by The New York Herald. Mr. Twee Deedle was in print from 1911 to 1914. Gruelle gave his daughter Marcella a dusty, faceless rag doll which she found in the attic. He drew a face on the doll and named her Raggedy Ann. Marcella played with the doll so much, Gruelle figured other children w Less