Duncan Macpherson

Duncan Ian Macpherson, CM (September 20, 1924 in Toronto – May 3, 1993 in Beaverton, Ontario) was a Canadian editorial cartoonist. He drew for the Montreal Standard (starting 1948) and for Maclean's he illustrated the writings of Gregory Clark and Robert Thomas Allen. He is most famous for his work with the Toronto Star; from 1958 until 1993.

Timeline of important events

 * In 1941 Macpherson dropped out of high school at age of 17 to join the Royal Canadian Air Force and serve in World War II. While stationed in England, he began taking art classes,  and also studied the cartoons of British cartoonist David Low.


 * He left the army 1946.
 * In 1947 with the death of his father he briefly takes over the family textile business.
 * In 1948 studies at the school of Boston Museum of Fine Art.
 * In 1948 he is working for Montreal Standard.
 * In 1950 he continued his course of study at the Ontario College of Art.


 * In 1958 joins Toronto Star.
 * 1959 wins National Newspaper Award for Editorial Cartooning.
 * 1960 wins National Newspaper Award for Editorial Cartooning.
 * 1962 wins National Newspaper Award for Editorial Cartooning.
 * In 1965 exhibits his work at the Art Gallery of Toronto (later named the Art Gallery of Ontario).
 * 1965 wins National Newspaper Award for Editorial Cartooning.
 * 1970 wins National Newspaper Award for Editorial Cartooning.
 * 1972 wins National Newspaper Award for Editorial Cartooning.
 * In 1980 retires from the Toronto Star for the first time.
 * On April 25, 1993 Macpherson retires from the Star, and dies eight days later.


 * Duncan Macpherson was well known for his ruthless style. Terry Mosher refers to him as the "king of the third wave." One of Macpherson's most celebrated cartoons featured John Diefenbaker as Marie Antoinette saying "Let them eat cake," after Diefenbaker cancelled the Avro Arrow project and its 14,000 jobs. Pierre Berton said this cartoon was "the beginning, I think, of the country's disillusionment with the Diefenbaker government...scarcely anybody had taken a crack at Diefenbaker until then."

Awards and honours

 * Molson Prize: 1970.
 * National Newspaper Award for Editorial Cartooning: 1959, 1960, 1962, 1965, 1970, 1972.
 * News Hall of Fame: 1976
 * Member of the Order of Canada: 1987.
 * Royal Academy Medal