Lawson Wood, Clarence (1878 -1957)

Lawson Wood original cartoon artwork

Lawson Wood was an English painter, illustrator and designer known for humorous depictions of cavemen and dinosaurs, policemen, and animals, especially a chimpanzee called Gran'pop, whose annuals circulated around the world. Wood was decorated by the French for his gallantry at Vimy Ridge during the First World War. He was deeply concerned with animal welfare and was awarded membership in the Royal Zoological Society in 1934 for his work with animals and his concerns about their welfare. He established his own sanctuary for aged creatures. His animal designs were published by Inter-Art and Valentine, and his bird, animal, and human designs were reproduced as a line of wooden toys known as "The Lawson Woodies". The ape Gran'pop brought Wood fame abroad and the Gran'pop's Annuals were circulated around the world. An animated film was planned around Wood's characters and designs at Ub Iwerks Hollywood studio but was scuttled with the outbreak of the Second World War