Justin H. Howard · Thomas W. Strong

**Justin H. Howard** (American, active 1856–1880) was a prolific caricaturist and illustrator whose sharp political cartoons captured the turbulence of the Civil War era. A contemporary of the renowned Thomas Nast, Howard specialized in wood engravings and lithographs that blended satire, Shakespearean allusion, and timely commentary on American politics. His career unfolded amid the rise of illustrated periodicals and popular print culture, where his distinctive style helped shape public discourse through visual humor.

Two notable works from 1864 exemplify his approach. In “Chicago Nominee: ‘I knew him, Horatio…’” (wood engraving, published probably by Thomas W. Strong), Howard depicts Union General George B. McClellan as Hamlet in the graveyard scene, addressing the head of President Abraham Lincoln instead of Yorick’s skull, with Governor Horatio Seymour cast as Horatio. A companion piece, “Little Mac, in His Great Two Horse Act, in the Presidential Canvass of 1864,” further lampoons McClellan’s campaign. These prints highlight Howard’s skill at merging literary references with biting political critique.

Howard also contributed illustrations to McLoughlin Brothers, a leading publisher of children’s picture books and comic material. His multiyear association with the firm, alongside other prominent artists, brought his talents to a broad audience beyond newspapers. Though details of his training and personal life remain undocumented, his output reflects the vibrant tradition of mid-nineteenth-century American graphic art.

Howard’s legacy endures in museum collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where his Civil War-era caricatures preserve a vivid record of the period’s visual satire. His work bridged political commentary and popular illustration, influencing the development of American cartooning during a formative era.