Hamlin, V. T. (Vincent T.), 1900-1993

Cartoonist; creator of the comic strip Alley Oop. For fuller biography see The V.T. Hamlin Collection I.

From the description of Alley Oop : prehistoric cut-outs in modern dress : paper dolls, 1937 / by V.T. Hamlin. (University of Missouri -- Columbia). WorldCat record id: 45650328

Vincent T. Hamlin (1900-1993), commonly known as V. T. Hamlin, was an American cartoonist and creator of the comic strip Alley Oop .

Hamlin was born in Perry, Iowa on October 5, 1900. He served in the U.S. Army during World War I and later attended the University of Missouri where he studied art and journalism. Hamlin worked for a number of papers over the years, including the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram and the Des Moines Register and Tribune, eventually signing on with the NEA syndicate to produce the comic strip Alley Oop . The immensely popular strip, featuring cavemen and dinosaurs (and eventually a time machine!) began its run with NEA in August of 1933; a Sunday feature was added a year later. Hamlin hired his long-time assistant and ultimate successor Dave Graue in 1950 (Graue's signature did not appear on the strip until 1966). Hamlin retired from Alley Oop entirely in 1973. Dave Graue continued on the strip until his retirement in 2001, when he was succeeded by Jack and Carole Bender.

From the guide to the V.T. Hamlin Cartoons, 1949-1968, 1966-1968, (Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries)