About
Theodor Seuss Geisel, known as Dr. Seuss, was born in Springfield, Massachusetts. After studying at Dartmouth and Oxford, he worked as an advertising cartoonist before publishing his first children's book in 1937. His work, marked by inventive rhymes and whimsical characters, revolutionized children's literature. He wrote and illustrated 44 books, including 'The Cat in the Hat' and 'Green Eggs and Ham', which have sold over 600 million copies. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army, and he won three Academy Awards and a special Pulitzer Prize.
* 1904-03-02 — † 1991-09-24
Major works
- And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street (1937)picture book
- The Cat in the Hat (1957)picture book
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1957)picture book
- Green Eggs and Ham (1960)picture book
- The Lorax (1971)picture book
Key milestones
- 1937Publication of his first children's book, 'And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street', after 27 rejections.
- 1957Publication of 'The Cat in the Hat', which founded the Beginner Books series and transformed reading instruction.
- 1984Awarded a special Pulitzer Prize for his contribution to the education and enjoyment of America's children.
Themes
Imagination and creativityEnvironmental responsibilityReading and educationNonconformityPerseverance
Sources: catdir.loc.gov · anb.org · adpdev.library.ucsb.edu