Ben Wicks’ cartoons donated to York U

TORONTO - A collection of almost 2,500 cartoons by the late Canadian cartoonist Ben Wicks will be preserved at York University.

York University Libraries’ Clara Thomas Archives & Special Collections will be home to the large collection, which includes signed cartoons Wicks drew in the late ’60s and early ’70s for publications around the world including the Toronto Telegram, Toronto Star and Saturday Evening Post.

Wicks was renowned for his depictions of world events such as famine in Africa and the Vietnam War, as well as drawings of such political figures as Pierre Trudeau, Joe Clark and Richard Nixon.

“This gift is wonderfully generous,” says York University Chancellor Roy McMurtry. “Ben Wicks was a close friend, and both his talent and commitment to public service are legendary.”

In addition to being an acclaimed cartoonist, Wicks was a well-known TV personality, journalist, entrepreneur, author, literary advocate and humanitarian. Wicks was made a member of the Order of Canada in 1986. He died in 2000.

The collection of cartoons donated to York was mistakenly left behind when a Wicks family member moved homes in the 1990s. The collection became the subject of a legal battle between the family and the home’s buyers. The Wicks family was awarded ownership of the cartoons and donated them to York.

“His work is not just a treasure to his family; it is a treasure to Canada,” says daughter Susan Wicks. “It was my parents’ hope that the cartoons could be shared with as many people as possible, so we are thrilled that an institution such as York University was able to take on this collection for us. York just felt right, like the type of place where my dad would want his work preserved.”

“Ben Wicks’ cartoons provide important insights on 20th Century events and Canadian culture,” says Michael Moir, University archivist and head, Clara Thomas Archives & Special Collections. “The cartoons will be particularly useful for research into Canadian studies, political science and communications.”