Mel Calman’s Followers (2)

Mel Calman

Born

in Hackney, London, The United Kingdom

May 19, 1931

Died

February 10, 1994

Genre

Humor and Comedy

Influences

Osbert Lancaster

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Mel Calman was born in Hackney, the son of Russian-Jewish parents, but he was evacuated to avoid the Blitz. He was relocated on the outskirts of Cambridge and attended the Perse School, were he stated that he found it really hard work even to come bottom at that school.

Wanting to read English at Cambridge he failed to get into the University, mainly for financial reasons. He tried to secure a course for journalism but it was full so he decided to fall back on a latent desire to draw. And on that subject he later said that he became a cartoonist because at art school they laughed when he sat down to draw.

His first nationally published work was for the 'Daily Express' and as an instant topical cartoonist at the end of BBC TV's celebrated ne Mel Calman was born in Hackney, the son of Russian-Jewish parents, but he was evacuated to avoid the Blitz. He was relocated on the outskirts of Cambridge and attended the Perse School, were he stated that he found it really hard work even to come bottom at that school.

Wanting to read English at Cambridge he failed to get into the University, mainly for financial reasons. He tried to secure a course for journalism but it was full so he decided to fall back on a latent desire to draw. And on that subject he later said that he became a cartoonist because at art school they laughed when he sat down to draw.

His first nationally published work was for the 'Daily Express' and as an instant topical cartoonist at the end of BBC TV's celebrated news magazine programme 'Tonight'. He went on to work arond Fleet Street unti in 1979 he joined 'The Times'. And there he found the front page that suited his talents best and he became known as the founding father of the tiny art genre. And as for why his work was so minimalist he replied gruffly, 'To save pencils.'

He wrote his autobiographical sketches from a cartoonist's life 'What Else Do You Do?' as a tart example of the question cartoonist's are most irritated by. He also wrote the text in the many books that he had published and he also wrote a number of surreal plays for Radio Three. Also he often exhibited at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, illustrated books, designed dust wrappers and advertising campaigns, ran his gallery, and worked for charitable causes for graphic designers.

He loved the cinema, theatre, opera and the arts and, ironically, he suffered a fatal heart attack while watching a film at the Odeon, Leicester Square.

He married twice, had two daughters from his first marriage and lived his final 10 years happily with Deborah Moggach, the novelist. He also wrestled with the black dog of depression but had a warm heart and a generous spirit.

After his death, Lord Rees-Mogg, editor of 'The Times' from 1967 to 1981 commented, 'I always thought he was both an excellent cartoonist and, as a colleague, an extraordinarily pleasant and gentle person to deal with.' Peter Stothard his last editor at the newspaper said, "Every true artist draws himself; Mel Calman drew himself into the heart of 'The Times'".

Gerry Wolstenholme
September 2023

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Combine Editions
Mel Calman’s books

Average rating: 4.04 · 153 ratings · 21 reviews · 49 distinct works

	Let's Compromise and Say I'm Right: Calman on Love & Relationships by Mel Calman, Michael Palin (Foreword), Stephanie Calman (Editor) 3.86 avg rating — 14 ratings — published 2015	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	My God really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 3 ratings — published 1989 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Penguin Mel Calman really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 3 ratings — published 1968	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	What elsedo you do? Some sketches from a cartoonist's life 3.67 avg rating — 3 ratings — published 1986 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	A Little Light Worrying: The Best of Mel Calman by Mel Calman, Michael Palin (Preface) 4.50 avg rating — 2 ratings — published 1997	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	A little light worrying: The best of Mel Calman by Mel Calman, Claire Calman (Editor) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 2 ratings — published 1996	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	through the telephone directory with mel calman it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 1962	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	How About a Little Quarrel Before Bed?: And Other Diversions by by Mel Calman, Mel Calmen (Illustrator) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 1 rating — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The New Penguin Calman really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 1 rating	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Help! and other ruminations liked it 3.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 1982 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Mel Calman’s Followers (2)

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Combine Editions
Mel Calman’s books