David Langdon Net Worth – Cartoonist and Illustrator

David Langdon was an acclaimed British comic artist who contributed regularly to Punch magazine. His drawings often dealt with topical jokes as well as more socially-satirical sketches, often taking advantage of everyday situations to provide humorous yet ironic commentary on life’s absurdities.

He created a Ladbrokes racing calendar, caricatures of lawyers and judges for Sweet & Maxwell, advertising work for Bovril, Winsor & Newton, Shell and Schweppes brands; for which he was awarded an OBE in 1988.

Early Life and Education

David Langdon was born into a middle-class family in Motherwell, Lanarkshire. Eventually he relocated to England where he attended prep school until leaving education at 16 years old.

As World War II broke out, Langdon joined the London Rescue Service as a squadron leader and worked as an editor of RAF Journal.

He had a distinguished career as a cartoonist, drawing amusing depictions of air-raid wardens, Home Guard personnel, police forces, military branches (army, navy and RAF in particular) and wartime life in general. During World War II he produced more cartoons for Punch magazine than any other single contributor at any one time.

After the war, Langdon became a freelance cartoonist and contributed to many British newspapers and The New Yorker. He illustrated numerous books as well as participating in various advertising campaigns.

Professional Career

David Langdon was born on 24 February 1914 in London and grew up in Stepney. He attended Davenant Grammar School for Boys before going on to study architecture at London University.

He declined the offer and instead became a trainee in the Architects Department of London County Council at County Hall in Westminster. In 1935 he began drawing cartoons for staff magazine London Town at LCC headquarters; this work would later be published in other publications throughout his career.

Following his departure from the County Council, he joined the London Rescue Service (1939-1941), working in their Rescue & Demolition Depot. At this time he also volunteered in the RAF Volunteer Reserve and during World War II served as a Squadron Leader. His drawings were widely published during this period including Home Front Lines, It’s a Piece of Cake: RAF Slang Made Easy and All Buttoned Up: A Scrapbook of RAF Cartoons.

Achievements and Honors

David Langdon is one of the greatest comic artists of all time, best known for his cartoons featured in Punch magazine between 1939 and 1941. In these cartoons he made lighthearted fun of air-raid wardens, the Home Guard, police officers, army, navy personnel, and RAF life during the Second World War.

He joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in October 1941, and was promoted to Pilot Officer (a non-flying, ‘war substantive rank’) by January 1942. Posting him to RAF Hunsdon in Hertfordshire, he worked as an administrator. Additionally, he drew illustrations for their official journal, the Royal Air Force Journal; his famous character ‘Joe the Erk’ – used RAF slang for Aircraftman – featured prominently in many of his cartoons.

Personal Life

David Langdon was a British cartoonist and illustrator best known for his cartoons for publications such as Punch, the Sunday Mirror and The New Yorker. Additionally, he created numerous commercial advertisements for companies like Shell and Bovril.

During the Second World War, he served in the Royal Air Force and contributed cartoons for their magazine, Royal Air Force Journal. His artwork ranged from general cartoons and cover illustrations for the publication.

He also created title cartoons for some of the RAF’s short films. His output was impressive and, after demobilisation in 1946, Langdon became a freelance illustrator known for his cartoons about air-raid wardens, the Home Guard, the RAF and wartime life in general.

Net Worth

David Langdon has an estimated net worth of $25 million, which he has amassed through his professional career as a cartoonist and illustrator.

He has achieved great success as a businessman, amassing an impressive portfolio of real estate investments.

According to a Center for Public Integrity review, at least $22 million was spent on federal and state elections with connections to Langdon since 2010. Two groups specifically, Citizens for a Working America nonprofit organization and its super PAC of the same name, combined to spend nearly $1.1 million during just the 2012 presidential election cycle.

In 2004, Langdon successfully campaigned for a constitutional amendment that outlawed same-sex marriage in Ohio. Voters approved the measure, giving President Bush just enough support to win over the state by one vote.