Background
James Flagg was born on June 18, 1877, in Pelham Manor, New York, United States. He was a son of Elisha and Anna Elida (Coburn) Flagg.
James Montgomery Flagg, 1915, photographed by Arnold Genthe.
215 W 57th St, New York, NY 10019, USA
The Art Students League of New York where James Flagg studied.
James Montgomery Flagg with Ilse Hoffmann.
James Montgomery Flagg with Georgia McDonald.
A photograph of James Montgomery Flagg dressed as Uncle Sam, 1942.
James Flagg was born on June 18, 1877, in Pelham Manor, New York, United States. He was a son of Elisha and Anna Elida (Coburn) Flagg.
James Flagg attended the Art Students League of New York from 1894 to 1898. He also studied Fine Arts in London and Paris from 1898 to 1900. Flagg attended the art school run by Hubert von Herkomer.
James Flagg started his career as an illustrator. He made illustrations for books, magazine covers, political and humorous cartoons, advertising, and spot drawings. His work appeared in all the major publications, including Scribner's Magazine, Judge, McClure's Magazine, Collier's Weekly, Ladies' Home Journal, Cosmopolitan, Saturday Evening Post and Harper's Weekly. In 1903 he began drawing portraits of Hollywood stars for Photoplay Magazine. Flagg painted the portraits of all the major film stars. In 1909 he published a book City People: Drawings and in 1915, Flagg created advertisements for Edison Photo and Adler Rochester Overcoats.
In 1917 he created his most famous work, a poster to encourage recruitment in the United States Army during World War I. Flagg was himself the model for Uncle Sam. Following the war, Flagg continued illustrating for magazines and books. During the Second World War Flagg once again offered his services to the government and produced a large number of patriotic posters. He also painted several posters for the Red Cross. In 1946 he published his autobiography, Roses and Buckshot. Flagg was a talented easel painter and in 1948 he held a one-man exhibition at Ferargil Gallery in New York City.
His portrait of Jack Dempsey now hangs in the Great Hall of the National Portrait. In 1948, he appeared in a Pabst Blue Ribbon magazine, which featured the illustrator working at an easel in his New York studio with a young lady standing at his side and a tray with an open bottle of Pabst and two filled glasses sat before them. James Montgomery Flagg died on May 27, 1960, in New York City. He was interred at Woodlawn Cemetery in The Bronx, New York City.
The World
1905Uncle Sam recruitment poster
1917Wake Up America, Civilization Calls Every Man Woman and Child!
1917It's Time to Build a Stronger America
1932Boys and Girls! You Can Help Your Uncle Sam Win the War
1917I am telling you…
1918Yours In Trust
1939Your Red Cross Needs You
The Seeds of Victory WWI
1918James Montgomery Flagg was the founder and a member of Dutch Treat Club. He also was a member of Lotos Club, Artists and Writers Club, and Players Club.
James Montgomery Flagg married Nellie McCormick, who died in 1923. Later Flagg married Dorthy Wadman. The marriage produced a daughter.