Nick Anderson brings a fresh, youthful approach to editorial cartooning. His clean lines and classic style belie an unconventional message that carries wide appeal.
An avowed libertarian and political independent, Anderson covers politics and contemporary cultural issues in a way that connects with the younger generation.
"Through my cartoons, I strive to defend the sensible center from the extremes of ideological dogma," Anderson says. "I try to neutralize the self-importance that corrupts our political system and highlight the intellectual dishonesty that corrupts the marketplace of ideas."
Since joining The Louisville Courier-Journal in January 1991, a month after graduating from Ohio State, Anderson's cartoons have been published in Newsweek, The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, the Chicago Tribune and other papers.
At Ohio State, Anderson majored in political science and was editorial cartoonist for the university newspaper, The Lantern. In 1989, he won the Charles M. Schulz Award for best college cartoonist in the United States, Canada and Mexico. He interned one summer with The Courier-Journal, which immediately recognized his talent. After graduation, the newspaper created a position for him as an associate editorial cartoonist and illustrator. He was promoted to chief editorial cartoonist in September 1995. In 1997, he won first-place honors for editorial cartooning in the Best of Gannett Awards. In 1999, he was announced the winner of the Fischetti Award. The annual award, named in honor of the late Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist John Fischetti, honors individuals whose work is judged to be representative of the best being done by professional editorial cartoonists in North America.
Anderson grew up in Toledo, Ohio, in a family that he says was apolitical. At age 15, he started drawing cartoons for his high school newspaper and immediately knew his calling.
In his spare time, he enjoys rock climbing, mountain biking, cycling and roller-blading. In 1988 he cycled across the country from Oregon to Massachusetts.
He lives in Louisville with his wife, Cecilia Baylon, and sons Colton and Travis.
