Born 1861 in Sacramento, California. In 1875, enrolled at a boarding school in Philadelphia; successful contributor to periodicals by 1881. Became the major political cartoonist for the New York Graphic while receiving his only formal artistic training at the Art Students League. When Life magazine founded in 1883, Kemble became frequent contributor to early issues; staff political cartoonist for Collier's Weekly from 1903-1907; Harper's Weekly from 1907-1912, before returning to Collier's, Leslie's Weekly and Judge in the late 1910s.
His cartoons attracted attention of Mark Twain, who employed Kemble to illustrate Huckleberry Finn. Kemble illustrated several other famous books,, including Twain's Puddin' Head Wilson, Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin, Washington Irving's Knickerbocker History of New York, and many of Joel Chandler Harris' Uncle Remus stories.
Kemble is best remembered for his specialty, cartoons of African Americans.
