Walter R. Allman
American cartoonist
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Walter Rease Allman (February 27, 1884 – July 8, 1924) was an American cartoonist who created the newspaper gag comic The Doings of the Duffs.[1] The strip was launched on July 30, 1914. Allman's last strip was dated January 16, 1924, but the strip returned in 1925[2] under other artists until August 15, 1931.[3]
Walter Rease Allman | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 27, 1884 |
| Died | July 8, 1924 (aged 40) |
| Occupation | cartoonist |
| Known for | creator of The Doings of the Duffs |
Biography
Walter Allman worked in the grain business at a young age, but didn't have much interest in the trade, spending his time drawing on the sides of boxes and crates. His talent soon landed a job at an engraving company; he later found employment with the Toledo News-Bee newspaper.
His cartoon "work was picked up by the Scripps syndicate NEA Service and his comic Doings of the Duffs became a nationwide feature".[4] An example of his work with the Toledo paper can be seen in 1912, honoring victims of the Titanic disaster.[5]
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His The Doings of the Duffs comic strip gained a similar level of fame with the public as the Mutt and Jeff strip had.[6] In 1917, Rembrandt Studios produced a The Doing of the Duffs film.[7] A stage musical followed in 1920.[8]
Allman was a cartoonist from 1915 to 1924. He died in Cleveland on July 8, 1924 at age 42 after suffering a nervous breakdown in 1923.[4][9]