Eric Gurney
Encyclopedia
Eric Gurney was a Canadian-American cartoonist and illustrator.
Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, he grew up in Toronto
, where he began a career as a commercial artist. In 1938 he emigrated to the USA to work with The Walt Disney Company
, where he was a story writer and collaborated on several classic Disney films. Turning freelance in 1948, he did cartoon illustrations for magazines and advertising campaigns, notably for the Ethyl Corporation
.
Gurney is best known for his humorous illustrations in books for children and adults. He illustrated Punctured Poems (1971) by Richard Armour
; How to Live with a Neurotic Dog (1960) (text by Stephen Baker); How to Live with a Calculating Cat (1962) (text by William Nettleton); an edition of Sportsmanlike Driving (1965), a textbook
published by the American Automobile Association
; and many other titles, whose total sales number in the millions.
He received the National Cartoonists Society
Advertising and Illustration Award for 1961 and 1971 for his work.
His wife, Nancy Gurney, was his collaborator on several books including The King, the Mice, and the Cheese (1965). In later years they resided in Tucson, Arizona
.
Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, he grew up in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, where he began a career as a commercial artist. In 1938 he emigrated to the USA to work with The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company is the largest media conglomerate in the world in terms of revenue. Founded on October 16, 1923, by Walt and Roy Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, Walt Disney Productions established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into...
, where he was a story writer and collaborated on several classic Disney films. Turning freelance in 1948, he did cartoon illustrations for magazines and advertising campaigns, notably for the Ethyl Corporation
Ethyl Corporation
Ethyl Corporation is a fuel additive company headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. The company is a manufacturer, blender and distributor of fuel additives...
.
Gurney is best known for his humorous illustrations in books for children and adults. He illustrated Punctured Poems (1971) by Richard Armour
Richard Armour (poet)
Richard Willard Armour was an American poet and author who wrote over sixty-five books.-Life and work:Armour was born in San Pedro, Los Angeles, California. His father was a druggist, and Armour's autobiographical Drug Store Days recalls his childhood in both San Pedro and Pomona...
; How to Live with a Neurotic Dog (1960) (text by Stephen Baker); How to Live with a Calculating Cat (1962) (text by William Nettleton); an edition of Sportsmanlike Driving (1965), a textbook
Textbook
A textbook or coursebook is a manual of instruction in any branch of study. Textbooks are produced according to the demands of educational institutions...
published by the American Automobile Association
American Automobile Association
AAA , formerly known as the American Automobile Association, is a federation of 51 independently operated motor clubs throughout North America. AAA is a not-for-profit member service organization with more than 51 million members. AAA provides services to its members such as travel, automotive,...
; and many other titles, whose total sales number in the millions.
He received the National Cartoonists Society
National Cartoonists Society
The National Cartoonists Society is an organization of professional cartoonists in the United States. It presents the National Cartoonists Society Awards. The Society was born in 1946 when groups of cartoonists got together to entertain the troops...
Advertising and Illustration Award for 1961 and 1971 for his work.
His wife, Nancy Gurney, was his collaborator on several books including The King, the Mice, and the Cheese (1965). In later years they resided in Tucson, Arizona
Tucson, Arizona
Tucson is a city in and the county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States. The city is located 118 miles southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The 2010 United States Census puts the city's population at 520,116 with a metropolitan area population at 1,020,200...
.
