Mansbridge, Norman (1911 – 1993)

Norman Mansbridge original cartoon artwork.

Norman Mansbridge was in advertising before becoming a freelance cartoonist, contributing his first drawing to Punch in 1937. After the outbreak of war, he joined the Merchant Navy and was also given a roving commission as a war artist. After the war, Mansbridge returned to work for the News Chronicle, Men Only, Sunday Times, Radio Times, Lilliput, Daily Sketch and Birmingham Post. In 1958 he was elected a member of the Punch Table, and became the magazine's political cartoonist. He alternated with Leslie Illingworth in drawing Punch's weekly political cartoon, but had no abiding interest in politics. "I've no real political convictions" Mansbridge explained, adding that "I don't mind whether it's Wilson or Heath who's being knocked": "An editorial committee works out the idea at lunch, then I go off and do it." In 1965 Mansbridge was employed drawing a series called "Line-Up" for the Daily Sketch, consisting of a panel of three topical cartoons. In 1968 he retired from the Daily Sketch being succeeded by Stan McMurtry Mac.