Colonial-era Brisbane painter and cartoonist. Thomas and William Macleod were the first cartoonists to join Queensland Punch and Thomas designed the magazine's fist cover in October 1878.
painter and cartoonist, was born in the UK and apprenticed to an art publishing firm in London. He came to Brisbane in 1878, aged 18, and joined the Queensland Lands Department as a draughtsman. From this position he contributed to Queensland Punch (1878-94) and other journals. He and William Macleod , who sent drawings up from Sydney, were the first cartoonists on the paper. Thomas designed the first cover (October 1878). A keen rider, he competed in the Ladies’ Bracelet races and was renowned for his drawings of horses in action. Later Queensland Punch cartoons were supplied by C.H. Hunt of Sydney and Tom Durkin then Percy F.S. Spence of Melbourne before the journal expired. It is unknown why Thomas stopped contributing to the publication and while there is speculation he may have returned to the United Kingdom it is equally as likely that he simply moved or passed away.
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Writers:
Kerr, Joan
Date written:
1996
Last updated:
2007
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