"The more you mix in, the easier to satisfy everyone", a cartoon by Knecht, Evansville Courier, Oct. 1912.

Karl Kae Knecht (December 4, 1883 – July 28, 1972) was an American artist who was the cartoonist for the Evansville Courier (now Courier & Press) from 1906 to 1960 and was instrumental in the founding of Evansville's Mesker Park Zoo. His work was the subject of a book, The World of Karl Kae Knecht Through His Cartoons by Philip C. Ensley, published in 1979 by University of Evansville Press.[1]

Personal life

Knecht was born in 1883 in Dakota Territory and grew up in Illinois. He had a sister, Fay and married Jennie E. Moore of Evansville (daughter of Elwood Moore) on August 22, 1918.

He enjoyed circuses and performing as a clown,[2] and was a founding member of the "Circus Fans' Association", serving as its first secretary-treasurer starting in 1926.[3]

Career

He studied at the Chicago Art Institute. In 1906, Knecht became the cartoonist for the Evansville Courier and later served as staff photographer. Until 1954, Knecht's work appeared on the front page, when it was moved to the editorial page.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Library of Congress card catalog entry
  2. ↑ "Grown Ups who Run Away to the Circus" by Earl Chapin May. New York Times, April 17, 1932. (NY Times online archive.)
  3. ↑ "Circus Fans' Organization Celebrates First Birthday." New York Times, April 10, 1927. (NY Times online archive.)
  4. ↑ Karl K. Knecht Papers 1906-1966 Syracuse University, 12 Oct 2009, Retrieved 11/29/2010

Further reading

  • David, Rich (August 26, 2008). "Photo archive traces history of Indiana's second-oldest zoo". Evanville Courier & Press. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
  • "Karl Kae Knecht, Famed Cartoonist, Returns To Old Home Town To Join Iroquis in Anniversary Jubilee". Huronite and Daily Plainsman (Huron, South Dakota). July 12, 1955. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
  • "No title". Ogden Standard Examiner (Ogden, Utah). November 29, 1936. Retrieved 2008-09-19. "The most enthusiastic circus fan in America is Karl Kae Knecht who has just entered upon his year as cartoonist for the Evanville Courier ..."
  • "Versatile Knecht served as columnist, photographer". The Evansville Courier. August 10, 1995. Archived from the original on October 27, 2004. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
  • Philip C. Ensley. The world of Karl Kae Knecht through his cartoons. University of Evansville Press, 1979.



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