 thumb|raggedy ann and andy johnny gruelle (december 24, 1880 â january 8, 1938) was an american artist, political cartoonist, children's book author and illustrator (and even songwriter). he is known as the creator of raggedy ann and raggedy andy. he had such confidence in his design that often he would create the final ink work without first sketching in pencil.johnny gruelle, creator of raggedy ann and andy, patricia hall, pelican publishing company, 1993 ==history== he was born john barton gruelle in arcola, illinois. his father richard gruelle was an artist affiliated with the hoosier group of indiana artists. john gruelle's cartoons first appeared in print in the indianapolis star in 1905. from 1906 to 1911 his cartooning work appeared in many newspapers, usually signed as grue, including the toledo news-bee, the pittsburgh press, the tacoma times, and the spokane press. after he beat out 1,500 entrants to win a cartooning contest sponsored in 1911 by the [[new yo
1880_births 1938_deaths American_cartoonists American_children\'s_writers People_from_Ashland,_Oregon People_from_Douglas_County,_Illinois People_from_Wilton,_Connecticut Writers_from_Norwalk,_Connecticut