biography of John MCLENAN (1827-1866)

Birth place: Pennsylvania

Death place: NYC

Addresses: NYC

Profession: Illustrator and comic draftsman

Comments: McLenan was working in a pork-packing plant at Cincinnati and drawing for amusement when he was discovered by the illustrator DeWitt C. Hitchcock (see entry) about 1850. McLenan soon moved to NYC and became one of the most prolific of the early illustrators. Hamilton lists 52 books published between 1852 and 1866 containing his work.

Sources: G&W; 7 Census (1850), Ohio, XX, 185; Hamilton, 382-91; Cowdrey, NAD; NYCD 1855-59.