Philip William May

Philip William May (Phil May), 1864-1903, English pen-and-ink caricaturist, b. Leeds. After living in poverty for many years, he made numerous drawings for the St. Stephen's Review. Phil May's Winter Annual, which began in 1892, was followed by collections of his sketches in albums such as Phil May's Gutter-Snipes (1896). During his last years he worked exclusively for Punch and the Graphic. May's work is distinguished for its economy of line, its brilliant characterization and gentle, kindly humor. Most of his types are taken from the stage, sporting events, and London street life.

Bibliography: See biography by J. Thorpe (1949).

May, Phil (b Leeds, 22 Apr. 1864; d London, 5 Aug. 1903). English illustrator and caricaturist. He began his career as a theatrical scene painter (he also did some acting) and was self-taught as an illustrator. In 1885–8 he lived in Australia for the sake of his health, working for the Sydney Bulletin, and after his return to England he became one of the most popular and prolific illustrators of the day, contributing to Punch, the Illustrated London News, and various other periodicals, and also publishing numerous collections of his drawings. He worked at a time when most British magazines were switching to photomechanical methods of reproduction, and the new techniques suited his vigorous and economical style of pen-and-ink drawing. His subjects were taken mainly from London street life—in contrast to those of Aubrey Beardsley, the other great but short-lived black-and-white illustrator of the 1890s. May was bohemian in his habits (‘draw firm and live jolly’ was his motto), squandering a good deal of money, and he died of cirrhosis and tuberculosis at the age of 39.