Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss

Biography

Birthdate: March 2, 1904
Birthplace: Springfield, Massachusetts

The Early Years

Theodor Seuss Geisel (better known as Dr. Seuss) was born in Springfield, Massachusetts. He was given the middle name Seuss because it is his mother's maiden name. Dr. Seuss studied English at Oxford University in England, which is where he met his wife, Helen Palmer.

Finding His Voice

Dr. Seuss worked as a writer and cartoonist at various magazines before being hired to draw ads for a pesticide company. He drew nasty looking bugs for 15 years. It was only when Dr. Seuss was returning to the U.S. from a European vacation, by boat, that he wrote his fist children's book. His boredom on the long trip inspired Dr. Seuss to write a poem to the rhythm of the ship's engine. The result was the book And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, which was rejected by the first 27 publishers he sent it to. The book was finally published and became a hit. However, Dr. Seuss didn't become a household name until he wrote The Cat in the Hat in 1957.

Getting Serious

World War II interrupted Dr. Seuss' career as a children's book author. During the war, Dr. Seuss worked for the U.S. Army making documentary films for American soldiers. His films, Hitler Lives and Design for Death, both won Academy Awards. When the war was over, Dr. Seuss returned to his career as a successful children's author. Dr. Seuss died of cancer on September 24, 1991 at the age of 87.

Movie Mania

Even after his death, Dr. Seuss is still dazzling audiences. In 2000, the movie version of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, starring Jim Carrey, garnered rave reviews. In 2003, The Cat in the Hat, starring Mike Myers, hit theaters and, in 2008, Horton Hears a Who hit the big screen!

Did U Know?

• Dr. Seuss' wife, Helen Palmer, also wrote children's books under the Seuss label.
• The last book Dr. Seuss' ever wrote was a book for "obsolete children" (old peeps) titled You're Only Old Once.
• When Dr. Seuss was a kid, his mother would soothe him to sleep by chanting rhymes from her childhood. Dr. Seuss credited her with his talent for rhyming.

Dr. Seuss Says...

"Be who you are and say what you want, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."