Theodor ‘Ted’ Geisel, also known as Dr. Seuss

Born and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts, Theodor Geisel was one of the most influential and celebrated American artists of the 20^th century. More commonly known as Dr. Seuss, he was the author of more than 60 children’s books that have sold over 600 million copies worldwide! He received numerous honors over his career, including the Pulitzer Prize for his “contribution over nearly half a century to the education and enjoyment of America's children and their parents.” Seuss’ nonsensical verse, combined with his loopy and lively artistic style, made many of his works the most popular children’s books of all time.

Geisel left graduate school in Great Britain to pursue a career as a journal illustrator for such magazines as Saturday Evening Post, Judge, Vanity Fair and Life.  His first children’s book  And To Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street (1937) was praised by beloved children’s author Beatrix Potter as “the cleverest book,” using a “natural truthful simplicity” that didn’t condescend to kids, the way most books for children did at the time. During World War II, Geisel worked as a political cartoonist and an animator for the War Production Board before joining the U. S. Army. Dr. Seuss would return to writing children’s books by the late 1940’s, and by the following decade see his popularity rising with the timeless works Yertle the Turtle (1950), Horton Hears A Who (1954) and The Cat In The Hat (1957).  His works inspired numerous adaptations in his lifetime, including on stage and screen, and continue to this day to teach, entertain and encourage readers of all ages.