Millions of readers know and loveAlice’s Adventures in Wonderland, but far fewer know that the first published edition of Lewis Carroll’s beloved tale was illustrated by an English political cartoonist who was blind in one eye. John Tenniel was the chief cartoon artist for the British humor magazinePunch from 1864 to his retirement in 1901. Tenniel’s artistry, gentlemanly good humor, and political good taste had earned the admiration and respect of readers and politicians alike and would lead to his knighthood by Queen Victoria in 1893. Carroll, who appreciated the influential satirist’s work, commissioned him to draw Alice’s eccentric cast of characters. Although at times contentious, the collaboration between Carroll and Tenniel resulted in a cultural touchstone for the ages.
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