Ken Krimstein is a cartoonist, writer, and graphic biographer whose work has appeared in prominent publications such as "The New Yorker", "Punch", "National Lampoon", "The Wall Street Journal", and "Cosmopolitan". He is the author of several critically acclaimed graphic biographies, including "The Three Escapes of Hannah Arendt: A Tyranny of Truth", which has been translated into ten languages and adapted into a play by the Deutsches Theater in Berlin. His subsequent works, "When I Grow Up: The Lost Autobiographies of Six Yiddish Teenagers" and "Einstein in Kafkaland: How Albert Fell Down the Rabbit Hole and Came Up with the Universe", further establish his reputation for blending historical research with vivid storytelling.
Krimstein’s career began in advertising, where he won awards for his copywriting while simultaneously submitting cartoons to "The New Yorker"—a pursuit that eventually led to his first acceptance in 2000. His background in history and philosophy informs his graphic biographies, which humanize complex thinkers by exploring their lives through the lens of place and time. Drawing inspiration from influences like "MAD Magazine", Charles Addams, and "Classics Illustrated", he combines humor, pathos, and meticulous research to create immersive narratives.
In addition to his published works, Krimstein has held residencies at Yaddo and Ragdale and was awarded a fellowship at the American Academy in Berlin in 2024. His unique approach to graphic storytelling—melding visual art with historical insight—continues to garner international recognition, solidifying his place as a distinctive voice in contemporary nonfiction and graphic literature.