William McConnell (fl. 1850-1890)

A cartoonist and comic artist, McConnell had two official appointments as cartoonist to illustrated papers, Punch, 1852 and The Illustrated Times, 1855-56. His style is usually exaggerated and grotesque and he is said to have been a friend of G.A. Sala, the author of Twice Round the Clock, London, 1859. According to M.H. Spielmann (The History of Punch, London, 1895, pp. 460-1) McConnell 'revelled in beggars, swells and backgrounds' and died of consumption soon after 1852; however this must be incorrect as he was still contributing to periodicals in the 1860s.