Harding, Leslie Clifford 'Styx' (1914 - 1991)

Leslie Harding studied at Leyton School of Art and began working as a professional cartoonist at the age of 18. His cartoons appeared in several major British publications, including the Daily Mirror, Daily Mail, Daily Sketch, Weekend, and the Daily Express. He also worked under the pseudonyms Styx and Wimsey, producing both single-panel cartoons and comic strips. In the 1970s and 1980s, he was a regular contributor to Shoot! magazine, where his cartoons were recognised for their dynamic visual style. He was the creator of the comic strip Paws, which featured a mischievous dog and ran in Krazyand later Whizzer and Chips, followed by spin-offs such as Claws the Cat and Caws the Crow. In addition to print work, Harding produced advertising illustrations and drew for children's comics. Harding mentored the cartoonist Reg Smythe, creator of Andy Capp. Smythe, who admired Harding’s work as Styx, sought him out and received informal critique and encouragement. This mentorship coincided with Smythe’s early success at the Daily Mirror, where he began full-time work in 1954. Harding was a founding member of the Cartoonists' Club of Great Britain, attending its inaugural meeting on 1 April 1960.