Paul Conrad

Three-time Pulitzer Prize winner Paul Conrad (June 27, 1924 – September 4, 2010) was one of the most distinguished political cartoonists in the world. Conrad was chief editorial cartoonist of the Los Angeles Times from 1964 to 1993. His trenchant political observations appear in newspapers nationwide and abroad.

A public memorial service for Paul Conrad was held on September 11, 2010, with the eulogy given by longtime friend, colleague and Truthdig Editor Robert Scheer.

Instead of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Paul Conrad Scholarship at the University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Gifts can be mailed to the University of Iowa Foundation, P.O. Box 4550, Iowa City, IA 52244-4550. For more information, contact Jeff Liebermann at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or (800) 648-6973.

In addition to three Pulitzers (1984, 1971 and 1964), Conrad won two Overseas Press Club awards (1981 and 1970). In 1988, the Society of Professional Journalists/Sigma Delta Chi (SDX) honored him with his seventh Distinguished Service Award for Editorial Cartooning - making him the only journalist to win that many SDX awards in any category since the annual competition began in 1932 (he also won in 1987, 1986, 1981, 1980, 1970, 1968, and 1963).

His favorite distinction: His 1973 inclusion on Richard Nixon’s Enemies List. His favorite irony: Holding the Richard M. Nixon Chair at Whittier (Calif.) College (1977-78).

Among his other honors are the Los Angeles Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, Print Journalist of the Year Award (1992), Hugh M. Hefner First Amendment Award for Print Journalism (1990), first place in the Gordon Bennett Balloon Race (1986), the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award for editorial cartooning (1993, 1992, 1990 and 1985) and the University of Southern California Journalism Award (1972).

His books include “Drawing The Line” (Los Angeles Times, 1999), “CONartist” (Los Angeles Times, 1993), “Drawn and Quartered” (Harry N. Abrams, 1985), “Pro and Conrad” (Neff-Kane, 1979, distributed by Presidio Press), “The King and Us” (Clymer Publications, 1974) and “When in the Course of Human Events with Malcolm Boyd” (Sheed and Ward, Inc., 1973).

Wrote Art Buchwald in his introduction to “Pro and Conrad”: “Conrad’s name strikes fear in the evil hearts of men all over the world… where there is corruption, greed or hypocrisy, everyone says, ‘This is a job for Conrad.’ “

His celebrated, limited-edition bronze sculptures of political leaders - which include Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon, John Kennedy, Abraham Lincoln, and Martin Luther King Jr. - have been exhibited at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Other major exhibitions include Fullerton Museum Center (1993), Guggenheim Gallery (Chapman College, 1990), Brand Library Galleries (1985), Palos Verdes Art Gallery (1980). His work is also in the permanent exhibition of the United States Library of Congress.

Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1924, Conrad started cartooning at the University of Iowa for the Daily Iowan. After receiving his B.A. in art in 1950, he worked for the Denver Post, where he spent 14 years before joining the Los Angeles Times. Conrad is survived by his wife, Kay King, a former society writer for The Denver Post, two sons, two daughters and one grandchild.