Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

Today is the birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel. Born March 2nd 1904 Theodor lived for 87 years. During his lifetime he was an American author, political cartoonist, poet, animator, book publisher and artist. He was best known under his pen name Doctor Seuss. Seuss authored more than 60 children's books including some of the most popular children's books of all time. With over 600 million copies in more than 20 languages Seuss is well known. 

Theodor Geisel adopted the name "Dr. Seuss" while attending Dartmouth College and later as a graduate student at the University of Oxford. In 1927 Seuss began a career as an illustrator and cartoonist working for magazines such as Life, Vanity Fair and others. Geisel also created illustrations for ad campaigns such as standard oil. His first children's book was And To Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street . The book was authored in 1937 During World War II took a brief hiatus from children's literature and worked in an animation department in U.S. Army. Short films were created during this time. 

In 1950 Seuss returned to writing children's books with the book If I Ran The Zoo. A total of 60 books were authored for children. From these books 11 t.v. specials, 4 feature films, a Broadway musical and 4 t.v. series were spawned. 

September 24, 1991 Seuss died of oral cancer at the age of 87. In 1995 the University of California, San Diego University Library Building was renamed the Geisel Library in honor of Geisel. Springfield Mass. opened a Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden in 2002. May 28, 2008 California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and first lady Maria Shriver announced Geisel being inducted into California Hall of Fame at California Museum for History, Women and Arts. The work of Dr. Seuss has been honored with Academy Awards, two emmy awards, peabody award, Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal and Pulitzer Prize.  Seuss has also been awarded with Hollywood Walk of Fame.