Walt Kelly (1913-1973) was the creator of the popular and acclaimed comic strip "Pogo," whose memorable characters and potent political satire set a new standard for topical humor and complexity. The work of Kelly influenced the creators of Bone, "Calvin and Hobbes," "Liberty Meadows," "Mutts," and hundreds of other comic strips and books.

Walter Crawford Kelly was born on August 25, 1913, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While he was still a child, Kelly's family moved to Bridgeport, Connecticut. Kelly's father worked in a munitions plant but dabbled in painting and drawing. He exposed Kelly to art and art technique. In high school, Kelly drew illustrations and cartoons for the school paper and yearbook and illustrated a biography of Bridgeport native P.T. Barnum for the local newspaper.

Kelly graduated from high school in 1930. That same year he met Helen DeLacy at a choir practice. For the next five years, Kelly pursued...