May, Philip William

(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.

See biography by J. Thorpe (1949).