-
Birth
Credit Article
On March 2, 1904, Henrietta Seuss Geisel gave birth to Theodor Seuss Geisel in Springfield, Massachusetts. -
Life Influences
Theodor and his siblings fell to sleep listening to their mother’s childhood rhymes. Later in Theodor’s life, he used those rhymes to write his books. -
Young Victories
One day of Ted’s twelve-year-old life, he drew a cartoon of a huge fish being brought in by a man. Ted’s mom and dad aided him in submitting this in a Springfield Union drawing competition. He took home the first place prize! -
School
“Seuss graduated from Dartmouth College in 1925 after having been the editor of the humorous 'Jack O'Lantern' signing his work Seuss for the first time, and, uncertain of what to do next, he moved to Oxford University in England to work on a doctorate in literature.” -
Begining Career
“At twenty-two he moved to a studio apartment in New York City, the center of the publishing world. He soon found steady work as a staff writer and artist for Judge- “the worlds wittiest weekly,” as it called itself.” -
Social Life
“Seuss would doodle across his notes. His drawings attracted the attention of fellow American, Helen Palmer. She suggested he become an artist, not a professor and, relieved by the idea, Seuss married Helen and returned to America, to work as a cartoonist, in 1927.” Helen died in 1967. After she died, Ted remarried to a woman named Audrey Stone Geisel. She was a friend of Ted’s family. Audrey motivated Ted’s books and she is the president of Dr. Seuss Enterprises. -
McElligot's Pool
Dr. Seuss wrote a book prior to the war, that he dedicated to his father, who was a fisherman. It was called McElligot’s Pool. It was the first book to win a Caldecott Honor award. This book still remains one of society's favorite Dr. Seuss books. -
Cartoons
“During WWII, Seuss drew over 400 political cartoons in two years as the editor of daily newspaper 'PM', often denouncing Hitler and Mussolini.” -
Jobs
Propaganda Film “Form 1943, he worked as a captain in the army and was commander of the First Motion Picture Unit Of the United States Armed Forces where he wrote propaganda films.” -
Other Sucesses
Dr. Seuss got offered $25 by The Saturday Evening Post for an illustration of his that was two American tourists riding camels. Not long after this, more magazines companies started to ask for his cartoons. This all seemed like a dream to Theodor. -
Inspiration
The town of Springfield, where Ted grew up, inspired him to do what he did. For example, in the Jungle of Nool when Horton the elephant is walking down the creek represents the Springfield creeks. Theodor (Ted) comes from a German immigrant family. Even though WWI was going on, they could still afford to give Theodor an education to enjoy. -
Career Boost!
“At age fifty-three, he would never have to worry about money again. That same year [1957] How the Grinch Stole Christmas! appeared-another book over which he sweated but that became an instant classic.” -
The Cat in The Hat
The cat in The Hat
“Using only 225 words, Seuss wrote 'The Cat in the Hat' (1957). Schools were hesitant to adopt such an unorthodox way of teaching, but children and parents scrambled to the shelves for each new story.” -
Books
More than 200-million Dr. Seuss books have been bought, globally! His first book was named And I Think That I Saw It On Mullberry Street. -
Fun Fact
“In 1974, a newspaper published a piece called “Richard M. Nixion, Will You Please Go Now!” It was a parody of Ted’s book Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now!, used with his permission. Nine days later, President Nixon, embroiled in the Watergate scandal, resigned.” -
Book Impacts
Dr. Seuss' books have been sold and rewritten in over 15 different languages. -
Television
The Zax “Besides the books, his works have provided the source for eleven children's television specials, a Broadway musical and a feature-length motion picture.” -
Awards
By 1984, Seuss has won the Pulitzer Prize and he has won three different Academy Awards. -
Death
On September 24, 1991 Dr. Seuss passed away. He was eighty-seven years old. Ted was good friends with so many people that so many people had felt like they lost a close friend. -
Memorial
In Springfield of 2002, a Memorial was opened up for Ted. It was called The Dr Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden.
