Here are some facts about Dr Seuss, the famous children’s author.
- Dr Seuss’ real name was Theodor Seuss Geisel
- He was born on 2nd March, 1904 in Springfield, Massachusetts (United States).The first children’s book that Dr Seuss ever wrote, And To Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, was rejected over 27 times by publishers before it was finally published in 1937 by Vanguard Press.
- Dr. Seuss wrote and illustrated more than 40 children’s books, including: Green Eggs and Ham, The Cat in the Hat, Horton Hears a Who!, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! and The Lorax.
- There are over hundreds of millions of copies of his books around the world.
- Dr Seuss joined the United States Army Air Forces and during World War 2 he served as commander of the Animation Department of the First Motion Picture Unit, producing propaganda films.
- Dr Seuss received many honors throughout his career, including two Emmy Awards, a Pulitzer Prize, two Academy Awards, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal and a Peabody Award. He has been inducted into the California Hall of Fame and he has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- Dr. Seuss was not a real doctor. He did study for a PhD in English, but never completed the course.
- In addition to Dr. Seuss, Theodor Geisel wrote under a few different pen-names, including, Theophrastu Seuss, Rossetta Stone and Theo LeSieg.
- Seuss was an outspoken liberal Democrat. His political views are often hinted at in his books. The Lorax in particular seems to sum up his view of the world.
- Green Eggs and Ham was written on a dare when his publisher, Ted Geisel, bet Seuss that he couldn’t write a book using only 50 different words.
- Dr Seuss often took many months writing his books. He often rejected much of the material he wrote.
- Several of his books have been turned into live-action movies. In 2000 Jim Carrey played the title role in the film version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and in 2003 Mike Myers starred in The Cat in the Hat.
- Dr Seuss died of throat cancer, aged 87, in La Jolla, California on 24th September 1991.
What next? Learn more about other famous children’s authors.
