Becoming Dr. Seuss
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Geisel, Henrietta “Nettie” (mother): death of, 98–99; family background of, 8–9; family trip to Europe, 67, 69; home of, 10–11; marriage of, 9; at Panama–Pacific International Exposition, 21; and reading habits of children, 13, 14; religious practices of, 12; and Ted’s drawing skills, 17; and Ted’s engagement, 67; and Ted’s first Dr. Seuss book, 115; and Ted’s wedding, 80–81; and wordplay of Seuss, 12
Geisel, Henrietta (sister), 11
Geisel, Margaretha Christine “Marnie” (sister): alcoholism of, 95, 99; birth of, 9; child of, 80 (see also Owens, Margaretha “Peggy”); death of, 188–89; and death of mother, 99; divorce of, 95; education, 26–27, 45; name of, 439n18; and Ted’s engagement, 67; on Ted’s sculptured animal heads, 96
Geisel, Robert (uncle), 67
Geisel, Theodor Adolph “T.A.” (grandfather): birth of, 439n3; brewery work of, 6–8; brother’s family in Bavaria, 67–68; children of, 6, 7, 439n7; death of, 30; immigration to United States, 6, 439n3; real estate investments of, 20; Sumner Avenue home of, 9–10; Ted’s memories of, 8; Ted’s regard for, 67–68
Geisel, Theodor Robert “T.R.” (father): birth of, 5; books dedicated to, 197–98, 256; and brewery business, 7, 8, 18, 20, 22, 30–31, 36; death of, 351; and death of wife, 99; and dinosaur footprint, 102–3; and drinking incident at Dartmouth, 50–51; employment with Springfield parks system, 94, 308; family background of, 5–8; family trip to Europe, 67–69; and father’s extended family, 67–68; and finances of family, 38, 45, 94; fishing expedition of, 17; and Forest Park zoo trips, 16–17; home of, 10–11; marksmanship of, 9, 15–16, 18–19; marriage of, 9; at Panama–Pacific International Exposition, 21; park board appointment of, 16, 94; and Prohibition, 23; and reading habits of children, 13; religious practices of, 12; and Ted’s drawing skills, 17; and Ted’s engagement, 67; and Ted’s graduate education, 54; and Ted’s move to New York, 77; and Ted’s physical activity, 29–30; Ted’s regard for, 15–16; and Ted’s wedding, 81
Geisel, Theodor Seuss: birth, 10; birthday celebrations, 85, 241, 370, 384, 385, 402–3, 410; in California (see La Jolla homes); childhood and youth (see youth of Geisel); childlessness of, 120–21; and Chrysanthemum-Pearl, 120–22; death of, 426–28; early wordplay of, 11; eyesight of, 203, 292, 370, 371, 375, 378, 379, 381, 411; family background of, 5–11; financial success of, 299, 300, 309–10, 330; health issues of, 392, 395–96, 401–2, 406, 407–8, 412, 417–18, 419; honorary degrees, 241, 244, 251, 406–7, 413, 414; humor of, 49; iconic status of, 270, 383; memoirs of, 384–85; religious background of, 12; rock garden of, 291; smoking habit of, 84, 119, 235, 271, 381, 391–92; wives (see Geisel, Audrey Dimond; Geisel, Helen Marion Palmer);
Gerald McBoing-Boing (Seuss), 217, 218–19, 220
The Glunk That Got Thunk (Seuss), 418
A Great Day for Up! (Seuss), 369, 370
Great Depression, 93–95
Green Eggs and Ham (Seuss), 295–99, 380, 463n73
The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat (animated special), 393–94
Grolier’s children’s book club, 310
Halloween Is Grinch Night (animated television special), 383
Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb (Perkins), 347, 468n19
Happy Birthday to You (Seuss), 290
Hejji newspaper comic strip, 104–5
Hemingway, Ernest, 70, 71
Hitler Lives? (film), 191–92, 220
The Hoober–Bloob Highway (rock musical), 372
Hop on Pop (Seuss), 316–17, 318, 321–22
Horton Hatches the Egg (Seuss), 129–32, 135, 269, 418
Horton Hears a Who! (Seuss), 234–35, 236–39, 245, 246, 339, 340–41
Houghton Mifflin publishing, 250–51, 266, 300
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Seuss), 263–65, 267–69, 330–38, 339, 389
Hunches in Bunches (Seuss), 391, 393, 411
I am NOT Going to Get Up Today! (Seuss), 416
I Can Draw it Myself (Seuss), 354
I Can Lick 30 Tigers Today! (Seuss), 352–53
I Can Read with My Eyes Shut! (Seuss), 381–82
If I Ran the Circus (Seuss), 256
If I Ran the Zoo (Seuss), 214–15
I Had Trouble in Getting to Solla Sollew (Seuss), 327–28
Infantograph, 128–29
Ingersol, Ralph M.: background, 139–40; influence on Geisel, 150–51; and Lindbergh, 140; and Mayer editorial, 150–51; military service in WWII, 184; and political cartoons of Geisel, 136–37, 138, 140, 141–42, 144, 145, 154–55; and revenue concerns, 146–47; and Russia, 152
Inside Outside Upside Down (Berenstain and Berenstain), 350
I Wish That I Had Duck Feet (LeSieg), 328–29
Jackson, Phyllis, 233, 269, 320, 332, 337, 339, 369, 378–79
Jackson, Shirley, 318, 429
Japan: anti-Japanese sentiments, 148–51, 186; Geisels’s trip to, 229–31; and Horton Hears a Who! 237; and Know Your Enemy: Japan film project, 185–88; and Our Job in Japan film project, 189–90, 194–95
Johnson, Lyndon B., 359–60
Jones, Charles M. “Chuck”: and Geisel’s writing career, 193; and Grinch animated adaptation, 330–38; and Horton Hears a Who! animated adaptation, 339, 340–41; and Private Snafu shorts, 170–71, 172–73
Judge humor magazine, 78–92, 100, 110, 124, 130, 203
The King’s Stilts (Seuss), 126–28
The King’s Wish and Other Stories (Elkin and Shortall), 299
Laing, Alexander K., 75–76
La Jolla, California: anti-billboards campaign in, 255; Geisels’s lifestyle in, 323–24; social/civic life in, 235–36, 254–55, 302–3, 324–26
La Jolla home on hillside, 134, 142
La Jolla home on Mount Soledad: Audrey’s move to, 346; fans appearing at, 290–91, 345, 385; Peggy’s visits to, 219; purchase and renovation of tower, 199–200, 210–11; renovations/remodeling of, 324, 346, 347, 388; T. R. Geisel’s visits to, 308
La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art, 378, 409
Lake Forest College commencement speech, 379–80
laughter and humor, Geisel on, 226–28
Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, 390–91
LeSieg books, 27–28, 310, 328–29, 350, 364–65
Lester, Lorraine, 351–52
Liberty-Bonds medal incident, 25–26
Liberty magazine, 100, 101, 143–44, 351–52
Life magazine, 76, 95–96, 139, 231, 247–48, 249
Lindbergh, Charles, 137–38, 140–41, 143–44
literacy, 280, 291, 294, 311, 373, 377, 406
The Lorax (Seuss), 355–58, 359–61, 365, 428
Maclean, Norman, 37, 40–41, 45
Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now! (Seuss), 368–69
“Matilda, the Elephant with a Mother Complex” (Seuss), 130
McElligot’s Pool (Seuss), 17, 196–98, 304
merchandising of Geisel’s characters, 285–86, 351–52, 395, 409, 428
modern art, 236, 239–40
moral messages in children’s literature: Horton Hears a Who! 237, 246; The Lorax, 355–58, 360–61; The Sneetches, 307, 309; Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories, 282
Mulberry Street, 3–4, 111, 414
My Book About Me (Seuss), 354
Narragansett Brewing Company, 134
nerds (term), 214–15
Newbery, John, 248–49
New York City: employment with Judge, 78–80, 81, 82; and fake pearl anecdote, 100; Geisel’s move to, 77–78; Geisels’s homes in, 81–82, 90, 99, 102; Geisels’s social life in, 84, 100, 102; and Great Depression, 93–94; searching for work in, 74–79
The New Yorker, 74–76, 84, 114, 291–92
New Zealand, 376
Nixon, Richard M., 368–69
nuclear war, fear of, 398–99, 401
Oh, The Places You’ll Go
(Seuss), 420–22, 423–25
Oh, The Thinks You Can Think! (Seuss), 370–71
Oh Say Can You Say? (Seuss), 386–87
On Beyond Zebra! (Seuss), 247, 252–53, 421
One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish (Seuss), 293–94, 295, 298
Owens, Margaretha “Peggy”: birth of, 80; and Christmas traditions, 96; death of mother, 188–89; divorce of parents, 95; on Geisel as patient, 407; on Geisel’s creation process, 263; and Helen’s death, 344, 345; and Helen’s rehabilitation, 245, 247; marriage of, 220; stays in La Jolla, 219
Oxford University, 53–54, 56–64, 72–73
Palmer, Marie, 60–61, 64–66, 71–72
Panama–Pacific International Exposition, 21
Pipers at the Gates of Dawn (Cott), 397–98
PM, 136–37, 143–52, 154–55, 162, 450n15. See also Ingersol, Ralph M.
political views of Geisel: and editorial/political cartoons, 101, 133, 136–37, 138, 140–44, 145–57, 162; Ingersoll’s influence on, 150–51; in later life, 416–17; and Ted’s quarrels with father, 101; and writing for PM, 136–37, 138, 140–44, 145–57, 162
Pontoffel Pock, Where Are You? (musical cartoon), 387
Princeton University, 406–7
Prohibition and prohibitionists, 23, 30–31, 36, 50–51, 59, 83, 102
proximity theory of Geisel, 292–93, 317
pseudonyms/signatures used by Geisel: for Capra’s media unit, 167; in college years, 49, 52–53; decision to use, 86–87; “Dr. Seuss,” 85–86, 137, 315; in high school, 27–28; at Judge magazine, 82, 85–87; “LeSieg,” 27–28, 310, 328–29, 350, 364–65; “Seuss,” 69, 76, 77, 82; as “Tedd” for editorial cartoons, 133; “T. Seuss,” 52–53
Pulitzer Prize, 404, 405–6
Put Me in the Zoo (Lopshire), 300
racial stereotypes/prejudice: and anti-Japanese sentiments, 148–51; and anti-Semitism, 143, 150, 151, 154; and black Americans, 152; and blackface of minstrel shows, 32; in books of Geisel’s youth, 14–15; in drawings by Geisel, 92–93, 116–17; in Dr. Seuss children’s books, 215–16, 418; Geisel’s statement on, with The Sneetches, 309; and Ingersoll’s editorial, 150–51
Random House: and Audrey, 348–49; Bright and Early Books imprint, 321–22, 341, 347, 349–50, 363, 367–69; contracts for books with, 312; Dr. Seuss catalogue owned by, 419; and fan mail for Geisel, 270; and Geisel’s issues with production department, 197, 295, 297–98, 382; and Geisel’s management style, 349–50; and Geisel’s political cartoon work, 156; Geisel’s readings at, 238–39, 295, 297, 312, 328, 363; and Geisel’s royalties, 132, 299; Newhouse family’s acquisition of, 402; and promotional tours of Geisel, 127, 135, 284–85, 373–74; and proposal for guide to children’s writing, 209–10; RCA’s acquisition of, 329–30; relocation of offices, 362, 363; Step-Up Books imprint of, 319–20, 323, 349. See also Beginner Books imprint; Cerf, Bennett; specific titles, including The Cat in the Hat
Rebel Without a Cause (film), 192–93
Redbook’s publication of Dr. Seuss stories, 216–17, 220, 257, 267–68, 307
Retan, Walter, 322, 341, 363, 370, 374, 393
Roosevelt, Franklin D., 101, 133, 138, 149–50
Roosevelt, Theodore, 24, 25–26, 203
Rover Boys series, 14–15
Rowling, J. K., 428
Sagmaster, Joseph, 58, 60, 61, 62, 282
Sam and the Firefly (Eastman), 278–79
San Diego Children’s Hospital charity ball, 330
San Diego Fine Arts Museum, 302
San Diego Museum of Art, 394, 409, 412–13
The Saturday Evening Post, 76–77, 270
Scrambled Eggs Super! (Seuss), 223, 225, 233–34, 235, 257
screenwriting: and Academy Awards, 191–92, 198–99; and Design for Death screenplay, 194–96, 198–99; The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T., 220–26, 228–29, 231–32, 241, 339; Rebel Without a Cause, 192–93
Sendak, Maurice, 394–95, 401, 402
Seuss Navy, 105–7, 117, 134
The Seven Lady Godivas (Seuss), 123–26, 239, 241, 340
“Seven Needs” of children, 204
The Shape of Me and Other Stuff (Seuss), 369
The Sleep Book (Seuss), 311–12, 314–15, 316
“Small Epic Poem (Size 23/4 B),” 382–83
The Sneetches and Other Stories (Seuss), 307–8, 309
songwriting of Geisel: for The Cat in the Hat, 358; for The Cat in the Hat Songbook, 339–40; for The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T., 222–23, 229; for Halloween Is Grinch Night, 394; for The Hoober–Bloob Highway, 372; for Horton Hears a Who! 340; for How the Grinch Stole Christmas, 334–36; for Pontoffel Pock, 394
Spaulding, William, 249–51, 253–54, 258, 266, 300
Springfield, Massachusetts: anniversary of founding, 413–14; and Forest Park zoo, 16–17; Geisel’s return to, 414–15; German population of, 11–12; history of, 4–5; and If I Ran the Circus, 256; and Mulberry Street, 3–4, 111, 414, 415
Springfield Breweries, 7, 20, 22–23, 30–31, 45
Standard Oil Company: Essolube campaign, 102, 117; Flit campaign, 88–90, 91, 92, 95, 97–98, 101, 107, 128, 134, 144; Geisel’s contract with, 90, 95, 98; and La Jolla’s anti-billboards campaign, 255; and political cartoons of Geisel, 144; and Seuss Navy, 105–7, 117, 134
Step-Up Books imprint, 319–20, 323, 349
Summer (Low), 318
television, Geisel’s views on, 372–73
Ten Apples Up On Top! (Seuss), 310
There’s a Wocket In My Pocket! (Seuss), 369–70
Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose (Seuss), 200–202, 206–7
“Too Many Daves” (Seuss), 308
To Tell the Truth (television show), 287
Ulysses (Joyce), 70, 122
“Uncle Terwilliger” commencement address, 379–80
University of California San Diego (UCSD), 324, 382–83
University of Utah, 203–9, 217, 237
U.S. Army, Geisel’s service in, 157, 161–90
Vanguard Press, 113–15, 117, 120, 122, 315, 402, 419
Warner Bros. Studios, 192–93
“What Was I Scared Of?” (Seuss), 308, 309
Where the Wild Things Are (Sendak), 394
World War I, 20–21, 24, 29, 68
World War II: and anti-Semitism, 143, 150, 151, 154; and Geisel’s political cartoons, 133, 136–37, 140–44, 145–57, 162; Geisel’s service in, 157, 161–90, 429; Know Your Enemy: Japan project, 185–88; and Pearl Harbor attack, 145; and Private Snafu shorts, 169–76, 218; Your Job in Germany project, 176–80, 182–85, 187, 191–92; Our Job in Japan project, 189–90, 194–95
writing of Geisel: and age groups, 367; agent for (see Jackson, Phyllis); ambitions for, 87, 118; and “bone pile,” 308, 310, 354, 420, 428; Capra’s influence on, 396–97; for children (see Dr. Seuss children’s books and stories); in college years, 41, 42–44; and creative process, 280, 390, 392, 397; and critical acclaim, 390–91, 404, 405–6; in early freelance years, 95; frustrating periods in, 327–28, 369; influence of Hollywood on, 246; memoirs, 384–85; and names of characters, 42, 197, 215, 330, 368; people as audience of, 367, 394, 424, 426; publishers of (see Beginner Books imprint; Random House; Vanguard Press); and respect for readers’ intelligence, 205, 276–77, 364, 374, 403, 429; and side projects, 107; and smoking habit, 84, 119, 235, 271, 381, 391–92; and storytelling skills, 168–69, 204, 217, 396–97; work routine for, 119, 292–93, 308, 375, 381, 411–12, 415–16. See also pseudonyms/signatures used by Geisel
writing workshops of Geisel, 203–9, 217, 237
xenophobia, 20–21, 22, 23–24, 29
Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories (Seuss), 217, 280–82, 283
You’re Only Old Once! (Seuss), 407, 408, 409–11
youth of Geisel: anti-German sentiment during, 20–21, 22, 23–25, 29; childhood home, 4, 10–11, 4
14; death of younger sister, 11; and injustices faced by Geisel family, 22; and Liberty-Bonds medal incident, 25–26; physical activities, 29–30; pranks and rabble-rousing, 19–20, 29; and Prohibition, 23; and reading habits, 13–15, 33–34; religious practices of family, 12; and romantic relationships, 31; and social life, 32–33; and social status of family, 22; and summer of 1915 at beach house, 21–22; trips to Forest Park zoo, 16–17; and wordplay of Seuss, 12–13; work at brewery, 22–23. See also education of Geisel
You Will Go to the Moon (Freeman and Freeman), 288
“The Zaks” (Seuss), 308, 309
zoo at Forest Park, 16–17
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Brian Jay Jones is the author of several critically acclaimed, bestselling biographies of some of the world’s most iconic creative geniuses, including Jim Henson: The Biography and George Lucas: A Life. For nearly three decades, he has served as a speechwriter for elected officials at all levels of government, including ten years in the United States Senate.