Dudley Dexter Watkins
(Dudley D. Watkins)

1907 - 1969

Cartoonist and Illustrator. Born in Manchester, Dudley D. Watkins drew cartoon strips for the Dundee publishing firm of D.C. Thomson, which he joined in 1925. He produced a range of characters for their newspapers and comics, including Oor Wullie and The Broons for the Sunday Post (1936), Desperate Dan (1937) and Korky the Cat for the Dandy and Lord Snooty (1938) and Biffo the Bear (1948) for the Beano.

Because of his loyalty to D.C. Thomson and his success he was their only artist permitted to sign his work and was paid handsomely, well enough to be able to build a large house in Broughty Ferry, which he named Winsterley.

Following his death, his characters and style were faithfully maintained.

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