Theodor Seuss life and biography

Theodor Seuss Geisel was an American writer and cartoonist most widely known for his children's books written under the pen name Dr. Seuss. He published over 60 children's books, which were often characterized by imaginative characters, rhyme, and frequent use of trisyllabic meter. His most celebrated books include the bestselling Green Eggs and Ham, The Cat in the Hat, and One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish. Numerous adaptations of his work have been created, including eleven television specials, three feature films, and a Broadway musical.

Although he never finished his doctoral studies in Oxford, England, Dr. Seuss has definitely earned his title. After working in advertising and newspapers, and drawing political sketches and war cartoons, he became better known for his creations that would promote reading for all.

As a young lad, his father had great expectations for the young Seuss. He would encourage him to visit the neighborhood library and also visit and learn about the animals at the zoo. Many have claimed that this is where the young Seuss came up with some of his creations that would reappear in his later published works. Seuss went on to earn a BA in literature and went to England to complete a doctorate in the field. But, as the subjects seemed to bore him, he found that drawing cartoons appealed to all of his senses. In 1927, he dropped out from his studies and returned to the United States with his newly wed wife.

Dr. Seuss began submitting his cartoons and creations to different magazines for publication. Some of the bigger publications truly enjoyed his work and he found continuous work in his field. His style was unique, humorous, and would have a clear point and often a moral meaning. He began signing his work, Dr. Seuss – a title he gave himself due to his father’s disappointment that he never finished his studies combined with his mother’s last name.

Not a proponent of war, Dr. Seuss began working on political cartoons around the start of World War II. In fact, he was commissioned by the U.S. Government to make propaganda films and posters. During this time, he continued drawing and making films that were not related to war.

He began to do children’s literature and artwork after the war. Bothered by reports of the illiteracy of children in the U.S., he decided to publish some books that children would have fun reading. Using 220 important words that a publisher had chosen, Dr. Seuss wrote Green Eggs and Ham. Even after his death in 1991, his books have inspired some blockbuster films and allowed younger generations to discover the joys of not only reading but also learning important life lessons.

Geisel also worked as an illustrator for advertising campaigns, most notably for Flit and Standard Oil, and as a political cartoonist for PM, a New York City newspaper. During World War II, he worked in an animation department of the U.S Army, where he wrote Design for Death, a film that later won the 1947 Academy Award for Documentary Feature.

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