Self-portrait caricature by Ding Darling, undated. Jay N. “Ding” Darling Papers [MsC0170], Special Collections and Archives.
An award-winning political cartoonist, Ding Darling was known for work that dealt with contemporary issues of his time, and he was quick to use his wit to lampoon politicians across the spectrum. Having lived through both World War I (1914–1918) and World War II (1939–1945), Darling drew many cartoons about international politics and trends as well as topics important to life in Iowa. His Iowa cartoons were used to discuss cultural and societal issues he saw at the time. His passion for conservation also made frequent appearances in his cartoons. This passion is what drove him to dedicate himself to conservation even after his time as a cartoonist.