Alfred Leete: From Daily Graphic Prodigy to War-Time Illustrator
Alfred Leete (1882-1933) was a largely self-taught British cartoonist and commercial artist. His career as a paid illustrator began when the Daily Graphic (England’s first daily illustrated newspaper) accepted one of his drawings. He was then only 15 years old. He went on to draw for various other papers and magazines, such as Punch, the Strand Magazine, and Tatler, and also designed posters and other advertising material, for instance for Guinness and the London Underground.
During World War One Alfred Leete supported Britain’s war effort with his work. In 1916 he published two very funny satirical books, Schmidt the Spy and The Bosch Book. His best-known work is the propaganda poster he created in 1914 in support of Britain’s war effort, showing the War Secretary Lord Kitchener pointing his finger at the viewer and declaring that he wants “you” (to join the British Army). It helped Kitchener create the largest volunteer army Britain has ever had. More than 2.5 million men answered the call.
At least ten of the propaganda cartoons he created for the magazine London Opinion were also issued as postcards. In addition, Valentine published several comic drawings that appear to have been created directly for the postcard medium.
