R.F. Outcault
R.F. Outcault was a renowned American cartoonist and illustrator, known for creating iconic comic strip characters such as The Yellow Kid and Buster Brown.
Richard Felton Outcault
Illustrator
January 14, 1863
Capricorn
September 25, 1928
65
Lancaster, Ohio
Richard Felton Outcault, an American cartoonist and illustrator, rose to prominence in the early 20th century for creating two iconic comic strip characters, The Yellow Kid and Buster Brown. His work significantly influenced the development of the modern comic strip and helped popularize the medium in newspapers across the United States.
Outcault’s career included various projects, such as Hogan’s Alley, Nibsy the Newsboy, and Poor Lil Mose. His talent for drawing children and animals made his work appealing to a wide audience.
Before his success in comics, Outcault worked at Edison Laboratories, painting electric light displays. This job led to full-time employment with Thomas Edison in West Orange, New Jersey, where he also contributed to mechanical drawings and illustrations.
Although Outcault’s life and achievements are not extensively documented, his impact on the comic strip medium and the creation of beloved characters like The Yellow Kid and Buster Brown secure his place in comic strip history.