Kenneth Mahood (4 February 1930 – 30 January 2021) was a Northern Irish cartoonist and illustrator. Over the course of a long career he contributed cartoons to many publications including The Times, the Daily Mail, Punch and the New Yorker. ^[1]

Mahood was born in Belfast, Northern ireland on 4 February 1930. He would later claim to have been raised “in a religious community so strict even the churches were closed on Sundays.” ^[1]

In 1966 Mahood joined The Times newspaper, becoming their first-ever political cartoonist. Mahood’s work first appeared in the newspaper on 3 May 1966; he became a regular contributor thereafter. ^[1]Also in 1966 Mahood became a founder member of the British Cartoonists' Association.^[1]

Mahood said of his work, “at a time when the news is very grim, I think people look for some light relief. And that’s the job of the cartoonist. The important thing is to be witty and to make a comment at the same time, if possible.” ^[1] Over the course of a long career Ken Mahood drew over 14,000 cartoons. ^[2] Mahood retired from the Daily Mail in December 2009, shortly before his eightieth birthday.^[1]

Mahood died in London on 30 January 2021, aged 90. ^[1] The annual Young Cartoonist of the Year Awards, which support and encourage emerging talent in the field of cartooning, are sponsored by Ken Mahood's widow Léonie Wykes-Mahood in memory of her late husband. ^[3]

• Cartoon Art Trust
• Cartoon Museum
• Young Cartoonist of the Year Award

• Official Ken Mahood Archive at Kent University Retrieved 28 March 2026
• Ken Mahood Obituary at The Belfast Telegraph Retrieved 28 March 2026
• Mahood at the Political Cartoon Gallery Retrieved 30 March 2026
• Official website Retrieved 30 March 2026