Al Capp (1909–1979) was born Alfred Gerald Caplin in New Haven, Connecticut. He created Li’l Abner in 1934. In addition to the enormous popularity of his comic strip, Capp was arguably the most famous cartoonist of his generation. He was a frequent and outspoken guest on 1940s and ‘50s television. The prolific satirist also wrote a syndicated newspaper column, had his own syndicated radio show, and was a frequent guest lecturer at campuses nationwide, a sideline that created a firestorm late in his career. Capp retired Li’l Abner in 1977 after a 43-year run, and died two years later.
