Leo Cheney was the creator of the iconic Johnnie Walker “Striding Man”. Discover a collection of early 20th century cartoons, sketches, and artworks.
An overview
Leo Cheney (1878–1928) was a Lancashire born illustrator and cartoonist. His lively drawings appeared in early 20th century British newspapers, magazines, and commercial advertising.
Born in Accrington in 1878, Cheney became the first student to enrol on Percy Bradshaw’s Press Art School correspondence course. Founded in 1905, this drawing programme originally run from Bradshaw’s home - later from Tudor Hall - in Forest Hill, London.
Cheney went on to contribute to Boy’s Own Paper, and The Bystander. Later, he worked as a staff cartoonist for the Manchester Evening News.
He's perhaps best known for developing the most recognisable version of the Johnnie Walker “Striding Man”. His illustration transformed the character into the friendly, iconic figure used in national advertising between 1915 and 1919.
Cheney’s work:
- captures the energy, humour, and social insight that shaped British illustration and commercial art in the early 1900s.
- connects everyday life with gentle satire.
- became part of Britain’s visual identity.
The collection also provides a valuable record of artistic technique across multiple media. This includes bold pen‑and‑ink lines to soft pencil shading and atmospheric watercolour.
The digital collection presents a varied selection of Cheney’s creative output, preserved within the Phil May and Leo Cheney Archive (LCC) held at the University of Salford.
Together, these works reflect material preserved in the LCC/B series, representing both Cheney’s professional practice and the wider visual culture of his era.
Types of material
- Black-and-white cartoons and sketches
- Pencil drawings
- Watercolour landscapes and seascapes
- Oil paintings
- Mixed illustrative material
How can it be used?
The collection provides an insight into how illustrators developed images for:
- newspapers
- magazines
- commercial campaigns.
It can be used to explore early 20th century illustration, visual humour, and advertising art.
Who might be interested?
The collection will interest anyone studying:
- illustration
- design
- advertising history
- Manchester’s artistic heritage or early 20th century print culture.
Artists, students, and local historians may also find inspiration in Cheney’s drawings and commercial artwork.