Was one of your childhood friends soft and cuddly with kind eyes and lips faithfully sealed to hold important secrets? Secrets like who you thought was cute in school and what really happened to your brother's pet frog? I'll bet you had a Teddy Bear best friend in your past. So cuddle up with this tale and famous Kentuckian Clifford K. Berryman to learn about this true toy story.

In a time not so long ago...

Clifford Berryman was the tenth of eleven children born to James T. and Sally Church Berryman. Clifford was born on April 2, 1869 in Clifton, Kentucky. His father, James owned a country store and would often entertain his children by drawing caricatures of local folk on store wrapping paper . As he watched his father draw, young Clifford must have loved the magic and humor that flowed from his father's skillful hands. In adulthood Clifford would write "...no boys ever had a father that they could be more proud of... If I can only be half of the man that my father was, I surely can ask no more..." Fortunately, Clifford K. Berryman inherited his father's artistic abilities. For the man who delighted generations with his pencil and won the Pulitzer Prize for cartooning, never had a drawing class in his life.

But, he practiced drawing in his spare time and good fortune came his way...

In 1886 United States Congress Representative Joseph C.S. Black burn saw one of Clifford "Cliff" Berryman's drawings in his father's office. Black burn was very impressed and secured the teenaged Berryman a job in Washington D.C. at the United States Patent Office.

How do you get a better job? Practice, practice, practice...

During his off hours Berryman practiced his drawing techniques. He studied and copied famous cartoonists, taking tidbits from each of their styles and adding his own flair. With long hours of work, he became very good at cartooning an almost photographic likeness of people. But, Berryman continued to work at the patent office until 1896 when he landed a job at the Washington Post newspaper as a staff cartoonist!

He became known for gentle wit," satire that never left a scar."

It was while he was at the Washington Post that he drew his most famous cartoon in 1902. Then an editorial cartoonist, he depicted President Theodore Roosevelt's refusal to shoot a bear cub tied to a tree during a hunting trip in Mississippi . Berryman began using the little bear as his cartoon mascot . People of all ages loved his little bear; fans sent hundreds of cards and letters asking to see more of the little creature. So its's not surprising that stuffed versions of his adorable "Teddy Bear" named after the popular President soon became a childhood essential.

And the bear lives happily ever after...

But, Berryman's career did not end there. He continued at the Washington Post until 1907, when he left to fulfill his long ambition to be chief cartoonist at The Washington Evening Star newspaper. For more than thirty years his cartoons appeared seven days a week in the Evening Star.

Being an outgoing and jolly man, Berryman made friends quickly. The talented Kentuckian from the tiny town of Clifton, regularly played golf with all the Presidents from Grover Cleveland to Harry Truman. He even shared a close friendship with the very famous writer Mark Twain!

In 1944 Berryman was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for his cartoon entitled "But Where Is The Boat Going". This cartoon was published on August 29th, 1943 and depicted Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR ) at the helm of a rowboat labeled "manpower mobilization". Among other honors bestowed on Berryman was an honorary Master of Arts degree from George Washington University. Also, his artwork has been on display at several prestigious locations, including the United States Library of Congress.

Berryman died in 1949 at only 60 years old and was survived by two children, his son James, also a famous cartoonist, daughter Florence, a well respected art critic, and his loving wife Kate.

THE END (well sort of...)

This was the tale of a talented man who gave the world the Teddy Bear. A man who knew that a daily light laugh can help people carry a very heavy load.

Source:

Woodford Sun, "Clifford K. Berryman" June 27, 1935, page 1.