Theodor Seuss Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss, was an American children’s author and cartoonist. He is known for writing some of the most famous books such as “The Cat in the Hat,” “How the Grinch stole Christmas,” “Green Eggs and Ham,” and “The Lorax.” Born in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1904, and died in San Diego California in 1991 at the age of 87. 

He graduated from Dartmouth College where he was editor of the school’s humor magazine and studied at Oxford University. There he met Helen Palmer, his first wife and the person who encouraged him to become a professional illustrator. Back in America, Geisel worked as a cartoonist for a variety of magazines and in advertising.

Upon returning to America, Geisel decided to pursue cartooning full-time. His articles and illustrations were published in numerous magazines, including “LIFE” and “Vanity Fair.” A cartoon that he published in the July 1927 issue of The Saturday Evening Post, his first using the pen name “Seuss,” landed him a staff position at the New York weekly Judge.

His first book, “And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street,” was rejected 27 times before it was finally published by Vanguard Press in 1937. After that, he continued writing some of his most popular books and stories for kids and became a number one-selling author.