John McLenan (1827–1865) was an American illustrator and caricaturist. Active from 1852 to 1865, his works include illustrations of Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities and Great Expectations for Harper's Weekly (1859 - 1861) and illustrations for two Wilkie Collins novels.Philip V. Allingham, victorianweb.org, John McLenan (1827-1865): "His work will bear comparison with the best of his time", undated, accessed 4 November 2012. Author Sinclair Hamilton wrote of McLenan Discovered by DeWitt C. Hitchcock working in a pork-packing establishment in Cincinnati and making drawings on the tops of barrels, McLenan became one of the most prolific of our [i. e., America's] early illustrators. . . . . He was also well known as a comic draftsman. His work will bear comparison with the best of his time.Hamilton, Sinclair; "Foreword," Frank Weitenkampf. Early American Book and Wood Engravers 1670-1870. Vol. 1, Main Catalogue. Princeton, NJ: Princeton U. P., 1968, p180, quoted by Philip V. Allingham, victorianweb.org, John McLenan (1827-1865): "His work will bear comparison with the best of his time", undated, accessed 4 November 2012.
Some of his cartoons make use of the text comics format, making him a pioneer in comics.
References
External links
John McLenan — Illustrator for Harper's Weekly at Victoria Web
John McLenan article on Lambiek Comiclopedia.