Date of Birth: November 20, 1900
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
Date of Death: May 11, 1985
Biography
Chester Gould was an American cartoonist best known for creating the comic strip “Dick Tracy.” Born in Pawnee, Oklahoma, Gould developed an early interest in drawing and storytelling, which led him to pursue a career in cartooning. He attended Northwestern University and later the Art Institute of Chicago, where he honed his skills. Gould introduced “Dick Tracy” in 1931, a strip that quickly gained popularity for its gritty, realistic portrayal of crime and its innovative use of technology and forensic science. The character of Dick Tracy, a square-jawed, hard-boiled detective, became an icon of American popular culture. Gould continued to draw the strip until his retirement in 1977. He received numerous accolades for his work, including a Reuben Award and an induction into the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame. Chester Gould passed away in 1985, but his legacy lives on through the enduring popularity of “Dick Tracy.”
5 Interesting Facts about Chester Gould
1. Chester Gould’s “Dick Tracy” comic strip was first published on October 4, 1931.
2. Gould was awarded the National Cartoonists Society’s Reuben Award in 1959 and 1977.
3. He served as the president of the National Cartoonists Society from 1952 to 1953.
4. Gould’s “Dick Tracy” was one of the first comic strips to introduce the concept of advanced technology, such as the two-way wrist radio.
5. Chester Gould’s work was known for its dark, realistic depiction of crime, which was inspired by the crime wave of the 1930s.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Chester Gould
1. “I decided that if the police couldn’t catch the gangsters, I’d create a fellow who could.”
2. “My only regret is that I didn’t kill more characters.”
3. “I tried to make my characters as realistic as possible, even if they were grotesque.”
4. “The success of ‘Dick Tracy’ came from its realism and the fact that it was different from other comic strips at the time.”
5. “I wanted to create a hero who was incorruptible and always fought for justice.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Chester Gould’s net worth was estimated to be around $2 million.
Children
Chester Gould had one daughter, Jean Gould O’Connell, who was also involved in the arts and has written about her father’s work and legacy.
Relevant Links
1. [Wikipedia – Chester Gould](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chester_Gould
2. [Dick Tracy Official Website](https://www.dicktracy.com
3. [Lambiek Comiclopedia – Chester Gould](https://www.lambiek.net/artists/g/gould_chester.htm
4. [Chester Gould Museum](https://www.mccormickmuseum.org/chester_gould