New Collection of Political Cartoons Donated to Annenberg

The Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania is expanding its growing collection of political cartoons with a significant new addition.

Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Signe Wilkinson has announced the donation of a significant collection of editorial cartoons and originals to Annenberg Library Archive, which will become part of the School’s growing collection dedicated to journalism and media. 

Widely recognized as one of America’s most influential editorial cartoonists, Wilkinson was the editorial cartoonist for the Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News, and her cartoons chronicled pivotal moments in American political and cultural life through satire, civic critique, and visual storytelling.

"Signe Wilkinson's cartoons have done what good journalism always does: they speak truth to power and make us see the world differently," said Sarah Banet-Weiser, Dean of the Annenberg School. "This collection is a remarkable gift to our community. We are proud that her legacy will live here, and that it will challenge and inspire generations of media practitioners to come."

The donated collection includes original drawings, published cartoons, sketches, notes, and related materials spanning Wilkinson’s distinguished career. The archive will serve as a valuable educational and research resource for students, scholars, journalists, and historians studying political communication, satire, and the role of visual media in democracy.

“We are honored to receive this extraordinary collection from Signe Wilkinson and to be the stewards of her incredible legacy,” said Samantha Dodd Summerbell, Lead Archivist at the Annenberg School. “Her work represents the power of editorial cartooning to inform, challenge, and inspire public conversation. This archive will provide future generations with insight into the intersection of journalism, art, and political commentary.”

As part of American 250 at Penn and in celebration of these extraordinary gifts, the Annenberg School for Communication will present a year-long exhibition and series of public programs during the 2026–2027 academic year. Opening to the public on September 17, 2026, "Witty and Gritty: Editorial Art of the Philadelphia Inquirer" will highlight the rich legacy of editorial illustration and cartooning, exploring how these works have informed public debate, documented history, and shaped American civic life.