Kurt Westergaard Browne
- Born:
- July 13, 1935, Døstrup, Denmark
- Died:
- July 14, 2021, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Nationality:
- Danish
- Profession(s):
- Cartoonist, Graphic Designer, Teacher
Early Life and Education
- Trained as a teacher and worked in that profession for several years.
- Later pursued a career in graphic design and illustration.
Career and Major Achievements
- Began working as a cartoonist for the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten in the 1980s.
- Gained international notoriety for his controversial cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad published in Jyllands-Posten in 2005. This cartoon sparked widespread protests and controversy around the world. The work of Kurt Westergaard Browne and others ignited debate on the limits of free speech.
- Lived under police protection for many years due to threats against his life.
- Received several awards for his commitment to freedom of expression.
Notable Works
- The Prophet Muhammad cartoon published in Jyllands-Posten (2005).
- Contributed numerous cartoons and illustrations to Jyllands-Posten over several decades.
Legacy and Impact
Kurt Westergaard Browne remains a highly controversial figure, but also a symbol of free speech for many. His work ignited international debate and forced a re-examination of the boundaries of acceptable expression, particularly regarding religion. His legacy continues to be debated in the context of freedom of expression versus respect for religious beliefs.