Knox’s entire newspaper career was spent at various newspapers in Tennessee, but his graphic commentaries were widely reprinted in publications throughout the U.S. At one time his cartoons were syndicated in 46 newspapers, primarily in the South.
His newspaper career began in Nashville in 1933. He was hired as a staff cartoonist for the former Evening Tennessean on the heels of producing the drawings for a booklet printed for the Democratic National Committee’s campaign the previous year.
In 1934, Knox was hired by The (Memphis) Commercial Appeal to follow J.P. Alley, one of the most renowned editorial-page cartoonists of his generation. Knox worked for 11 years at the Commercial Appeal, leaving to work on a Texas ranch.
His hiatus to the Lone Star State grew from an alcohol problem that brought his attention to the rehabilitation of alcoholics. He became dedicated to the cause of Alcoholics Anonymous and similar organizations for the remainder of his lifetime, traveling thousands of miles to speak to scores of groups aimed at helping alcoholics.
Knox returned to Tennessee in 1946 to become the editorial cartoonist for the Nashville Banner. After 29 years with the Banner, and more than 40 years total as a newspaper cartoonist, Knox retired in 1975.
One of the major highlights of Knox’s many awards include having one of his drawings selected as the best Christmas safety cartoon for the year 1952 by the National Safety Council. His was cited by the National Safety Council a second time in 1961.
Another major award came in 1970, when Knox received a Freedoms Foundation Honor Certificate for his Banner cartoon “The Awakening of Rip Van American.” The certificate was presented to “individuals, institutions and organizations that have contributed to a better understanding of the American way of life.”
In addition to his many awards, Knox also received praise from presidents, governors and other politicians whose likenesses appeared in his cartoons. Many contacted Knox for originals of his work, whether they had been depicted in his cartoons with favor or criticism.
Although he passed away in 1985 at the age of 74, Jack Knox’s legacy has lived on during the years since his death due to the generosity of his family, which has donated many of his original works to various public institutions.
Source: Nashville Public Library