Ben Sargent

Ben Sargent, winner of the 1982 Pulitzer Prize for editorial cartooning and finalist for the 2001 Pulitzer, was born into a newspaper family in Amarillo, Texas, in 1948. He learned the printing trade from age 12 and by age 14 was working as a proof runner for the local daily. He attended Amarillo College and received a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin in 1970.

Sargent worked as a reporter for five years, primarily covering the state capital, for The Corpus Christi Caller-Times, Long News Service, The Austin American-Statesman and United Press International. He began drawing editorial cartoons for the American-Statesman in August 1974 and worked there until February 2009. 

Sargent has received numerous other honors in addition to the Pulitzer, including Cox Newspapers' "Best of Cox" award for editorial cartooning (1996 and 1999), a Women in Communications "Outstanding Communicator" award, Common Cause of Texas public service award in journalism, Texas Women's Political Caucus media award, Headliners' Club of Texas special journalism award, Free Press Association's "Mencken Award," University of Texas "Outstanding Young Texas Exes" award and Amarillo College's first "Distinguished Alumnus" award.

Sargent is a member of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists, serving as the group's president from 1988-1989. He is the author of Texas Statehouse Blues (1980) and Big Brother Blues (1984), both published by Texas Monthly Press. He also is a founding director of the Austin Steam Train Association and is a qualified steam-locomotive fireman and brakeman.

Sargent lives in Austin with his wife, Diane.