BARTON, RALPH

(1891-1931)

The talented artist grew up in Kansas City and saw his drawings regularly published in theKansas City Starwhen he was in his teens; by 1909, he was a staff artist there while also drawing for theKansas City Post. In 1912, he settled in New York, quickly earning success as an artist forPuck, Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, and other leading publications. Regarded as a dandy, he enjoyed considerable celebrity among theatre people. He caricatured virtually all the stage stars of the 1920s, and his reputation remained preeminent in the field until superseded by Al Hirschfeld's* theatrical caricatures. Barton developed close friendships with Charlie Chaplin, Paul Robeson, and many others. He was married to Carlotta Monterey before she left him for Eugene O'Neill. Barton was manic-depressive and committed suicide.