James Whitworth
James Whitworth is a nationally syndicated cartoonist and writer. His daily news cartoons appear in papers across the UK from Scotland to the south of England, including the Sheffield Star and the Edinburgh Evening News. He draws a weekly news cartoon for the Sheffield Telegraph as well contributing to The Author, Hi-Fi News, Copper (in America) and the Dalesman. He has contributed cartoons to a wide range of publications including Private Eye (for whom he has also written gags), Prospect', Phoenix and The Independent.
He also published a weekly strip cartoon, The Steels' City which ran for 150 weeks 2017–2019.
He compiled a book of his father's (Ralph Whitworth's) cartoons to much acclaim, and has illustrated a number of books.
Born in Sheffield, United Kingdom, Whitworth was educated at Tapton School and Sheffield Hallam University, where he graduated with a degree in English language and literature. He also holds a post graduate degree in English.
Whitworth is an award-winning journalist who has written for a wide variety of magazines and newspapers including regular features for the Sheffield Telegraph, as well as online markets. He has also written copy for international companies such as Adobe and Hewlett-Packard.
He is a regular guest on BBC radio and has appeared on TV. His work has been published in many countries, including the United States (including school textbooks), and he has illustrated a number of books.
Whitworth's work is regularly seen in galleries and he has had three solo exhibitions. In 2013 Whitworth collaborated with Canadian artist Wildago on an exhibition to celebrate the centenary of stainless steel. Whitworth is the official cartoonist of Record Store Day.
Whitworth is also the author of a series of crime novels set in the North Yorkshire town of Whitby. The first three novels are Death's Disciple, The Eve of Murder and "Bidding to Die". The fourth title Better the Devil You Know was published in May 2015. A fifth novel, Murder on the Record, was published in May 2017. A sixth novel has been commissioned for publication in autumn 2021.
Whitworth lectures in Journalism at the University of Sheffield. He is an Associate Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University, Derby University, Leeds Trinity, and Huddersfield. He teaches Public Affairs to NCTJ apprentices. He has also published widely on the history of newspaper cartoons as well as speaking at literary festivals.