History of Dr. Seuss in Timeline
Theodor Seuss Geisel, known as Dr. Seuss, was a prolific American children's author and cartoonist. He wrote and illustrated over 60 books, achieving immense popularity and selling over 600 million copies worldwide, translated into more than 20 languages by the time of his death. His works are staples of children's literature.
March 2, 1904: Theodor Seuss Geisel's Birth
On March 2, 1904, Theodor Seuss Geisel, later known as Dr. Seuss, was born. He became a renowned American children's author and cartoonist.
1920: Prohibition Laws Instituted
In 1920, Prohibition laws were instituted, lasting until 1933. Geisel was caught violating them during his time at Dartmouth.
1925: Graduated from Dartmouth College
In 1925, Geisel graduated from Dartmouth College.
February 1927: Returned to the United States
In February 1927, Geisel returned to the United States without earning a degree and began submitting his work to various publications.
July 16, 1927: First Nationally Published Cartoon
On July 16, 1927, Geisel's first nationally published cartoon appeared in The Saturday Evening Post.
October 22, 1927: First Cartoon for Judge
On October 22, 1927, Geisel's first cartoon for Judge was published.
1927: Left Oxford and Began Career
In 1927, Geisel left Oxford University and began his career as an illustrator and cartoonist for various publications, including Vanity Fair and Life.
May 31, 1928: First Flit Ad Appeared
On May 31, 1928, Geisel's first Flit ad appeared, marking the beginning of a successful advertising campaign.
1931: Published "Boners"
In 1931, Geisel's first foray into books, "Boners", was published and topped The New York Times non-fiction bestseller list.
1936: Traveled Extensively
By 1936, Geisel and his wife had visited 30 countries together, contributing to his creativity.
1936: Inspired to write first children's book
In 1936, while returning from a voyage to Europe, the rhythm of the ship inspired Geisel to write "And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street."
1937: Publication of And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street
In 1937, "And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street" was published, later to be discontinued by Dr. Seuss Enterprises.
1937: Published First Children's Book
In 1937, Geisel published his first children's book, "And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street".
1938: Published "The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins"
In 1938, Geisel published "The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins".
1939: Published "The King's Stilts" and "The Seven Lady Godivas"
In 1939, Geisel published "The King's Stilts" and "The Seven Lady Godivas", both written in prose.
1940: Published "Horton Hatches the Egg"
In 1940, Geisel published "Horton Hatches the Egg", returning to the use of verse.
1941: End of Flit Advertising Campaign
In 1941, the Flit advertising campaign, which Geisel had been a part of, ended.
1942: Supported US War Effort
In 1942, Geisel began supporting the U.S. war effort by drawing posters for the Treasury Department and the War Production Board.
1942: Animated Short Film of Horton Hatches the Egg
In 1942, the first adaptation of one of Geisel's works was an animated short film based on Horton Hatches the Egg.
1943: Joined the Army
In 1943, Geisel joined the Army and commanded the Animation Department of the First Motion Picture Unit of the United States Army Air Forces.
1943: Release of The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins (Puppetoons)
In 1943, The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins was released as a stop-motion film and was nominated for an Academy Award.
1944: Release of And to Think I Saw It on Mulberry Street (Puppetoons)
In 1944, And to Think I Saw It on Mulberry Street was released as a stop-motion film and was nominated for an Academy Award.
1947: McElligot's Pool Named Caldecott Runner-Up
In 1947, "McElligot's Pool" was chosen as a Caldecott runner-up, now referred to as a Caldecott Honor book.
1947: Publication of McElligot's Pool
In 1947, "McElligot's Pool" was published, later to be discontinued by Dr. Seuss Enterprises.
1947: Design for Death Released
In 1947, the film "Design for Death", based on Geisel's work, was released and later won an Academy Award.
1949: Bartholomew and the Oobleck Named Caldecott Runner-Up
In 1949, "Bartholomew and the Oobleck" was chosen as a Caldecott runner-up, now referred to as a Caldecott Honor book.
1950: Gerald McBoing-Boing Won Academy Award
In 1950, "Gerald McBoing-Boing", based on a story by Seuss, won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.
1950: Publication of If I Ran the Zoo
In 1950, "If I Ran the Zoo" was published, later to be discontinued by Dr. Seuss Enterprises.
1951: Release of Gerald McBoing-Boing Cartoon
In 1951, Geisel's cartoon Gerald McBoing-Boing was released
1953: Publication of Scrambled Eggs Super!
In 1953, "Scrambled Eggs Super!" was published, later to be discontinued by Dr. Seuss Enterprises.
1953: Released "The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T."
In 1953, Dr. Seuss released the musical and fantasy film, "The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T.", which was a critical and financial failure.
May 1954: Life Published Report on Illiteracy
In May 1954, Life published a report on illiteracy, which influenced Geisel to create books with simplified vocabulary.
1954: Horton Hears a Who! as Allegory
In 1954, Geisel used his book Horton Hears a Who! as an allegory for the American post-war occupation of Japan.
1954: Publication of Horton Hears a Who!
In 1954, Horton Hears a Who! was published, expressing Geisel's views on anti-isolationism and internationalism.
1955: Publication of On Beyond Zebra!
In 1955, "On Beyond Zebra!" was published, later to be discontinued by Dr. Seuss Enterprises.
1955: Awarded Honorary Doctorate from Dartmouth
In 1955, Dartmouth awarded Geisel an honorary doctorate of Humane Letters.
1955: Published "Horton Hears a Who!"
In 1955, Geisel published "Horton Hears a Who!", adding to his collection of famous children's books.
June 1956: Accepted Honorary Doctorate
In June 1956, Geisel accepted the honorary doctorate from Dartmouth that had been awarded to him the previous year.
1956: Published "If I Ran the Circus"
In 1956, Geisel published "If I Ran the Circus".
1956: Premiere of Gerald McBoing-Boing TV series
In 1956, Gerald McBoing-Boing, an animated television adaptation of Geisel's 1951 cartoon of the same name, premiered.
1957: End of Gerald McBoing-Boing TV series
In 1957, Gerald McBoing-Boing, an animated television adaptation of Geisel's 1951 cartoon of the same name, ended
1957: Publication of How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
In 1957, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! was published, criticizing the economic materialism and consumerism of the Christmas season.
1958: Publication of Yertle the Turtle
In 1958, Yertle the Turtle was published, expressing Geisel's views on Adolf Hitler and anti-authoritarianism.
1960: Published "Green Eggs and Ham"
In 1960, Geisel published "Green Eggs and Ham", a classic children's book.
1960: Published "Green Eggs and Ham" and "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish"
In 1960, Geisel released two more popular books, "Green Eggs and Ham" and "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish".
1960: One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish Released
In 1960, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish was released.
1961: Published "The Sneetches and Other Stories"
In 1961, Geisel published "The Sneetches and Other Stories", adding to his collection of children's books.
1961: Publication of The Sneetches
In 1961, The Sneetches was published, expressing Geisel's views on racial equality.
1965: Theo LeSieg Pen Name Debut
In 1965, Geisel began using the pen name "Theo LeSieg" with the publication of "I Wish That I Had Duck Feet."
1966: Authorization of How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Cartoon
In 1966, Geisel authorized Chuck Jones to make a cartoon version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, narrated by Boris Karloff.
October 23, 1967: Death of Helen Geisel
On October 23, 1967, Helen Geisel, Dr. Seuss's wife, died by suicide after a long illness.
August 5, 1968: Married Audrey Dimond
On August 5, 1968, Geisel married Audrey Dimond, with whom he had reportedly been having an affair.
1970: Adaptation of Horton Hears a Who!
In 1970, Chuck Jones directed an adaptation of Horton Hears a Who!
1971: Adaptation of The Cat in the Hat
In 1971, Chuck Jones produced an adaptation of The Cat in the Hat.
1971: Published "The Lorax"
In 1971, Geisel published "The Lorax", a book known for its environmental message.
1972: Marvin K. Mooney converted to Watergate Polemic
In 1972, Geisel converted Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now! into a polemic about Nixon.
1972: Release of The Lorax Animated Special
In 1972, The Lorax animated special was released as part of six animated specials produced by DePatie-Freleng.
1973: Release of Dr. Seuss on the Loose Animated Special
In 1973, Dr. Seuss on the Loose animated special was released as part of six animated specials produced by DePatie-Freleng.
1973: My Many Colored Days Written
In 1973, My Many Colored Days was written.
1974: Marvin K. Mooney converted to Watergate Polemic
In 1974, Geisel converted Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now! into a polemic about Nixon.
1975: Publication under Rosetta Stone Name
In 1975, Geisel published "Because a Little Bug Went Ka-Choo!!" under the name Rosetta Stone, in collaboration with Michael K. Frith.
1975: Release of The Hoober-Bloob Highway Animated Special
In 1975, The Hoober-Bloob Highway animated special was released as part of six animated specials produced by DePatie-Freleng.
1976: Publication of The Cat's Quizzer
In 1976, "The Cat's Quizzer" was published, later to be discontinued by Dr. Seuss Enterprises.
1977: Release of Halloween Is Grinch Night Animated Special
In 1977, Halloween Is Grinch Night animated special was released as part of six animated specials produced by DePatie-Freleng.
1978: Won Emmy for "Halloween Is Grinch Night"
In 1978, Geisel received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's Special for "Halloween Is Grinch Night".
1980: Awarded Honorary Doctorate and Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal
In 1980, Geisel was awarded an honorary doctorate of Humane Letters from Whittier College and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal.
1980: Release of Pontoffel Pock, Where Are You? Animated Special
In 1980, Pontoffel Pock, Where Are You? animated special was released as part of six animated specials produced by DePatie-Freleng.
1982: Won Emmy for "The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat"
In 1982, Geisel won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program for "The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat".
1982: Release of The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat Animated Special
In 1982, The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat animated special was released as part of six animated specials produced by DePatie-Freleng.
1983: End of DePatie-Freleng Animated Specials
In 1983, the series of six animated specials produced by DePatie-Freleng came to an end.
1984: Published "The Butter Battle Book"
In 1984, Geisel published "The Butter Battle Book", a book known for its cold war message.
1984: Received Pulitzer Prize Special Citation
In 1984, Geisel was awarded a Pulitzer Prize Special Citation for his contributions to the education and enjoyment of America's children.
1984: Won Special Pulitzer Prize
In 1984, Geisel won a special Pulitzer Prize for his contributions to children's education and enjoyment.
1986: Release of Welcome (Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose adaptation)
In 1986, a Soviet paint-on-glass-animated short film was made called Welcome, an adaptation of Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose.
1990: Published "Oh, the Places You'll Go!"
In 1990, Geisel published "Oh, the Places You'll Go!", one of his last major works.
September 24, 1991: Theodor Seuss Geisel's Death
On September 24, 1991, Theodor Seuss Geisel, also known as Dr. Seuss, passed away. He had sold over 600 million copies of his books which had been translated into over 20 languages by the time of his death.
1991: Death of Dr. Seuss
In 1991, Geisel died of cancer at the age of 87.
1994: Release of In Search of Dr. Seuss
In 1994, the television film In Search of Dr. Seuss was released, adapting many of Seuss's stories.
December 1, 1995: Geisel Library Renamed
On December 1, 1995, the University of California, San Diego's University Library Building was renamed Geisel Library in honor of Geisel and Audrey.
1996: My Many Colored Days Published Posthumously
In 1996, My Many Colored Days, originally written in 1973, was posthumously published.
1996: Premiere of The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss
In 1996, The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss, a mix of live-action and puppetry, aired on Nickelodeon.
1998: End of The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss
In 1998, The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss, a mix of live-action and puppetry, ended on Nickelodeon.
2000: Publishers Weekly List of Best-Selling Children's Books
In 2000, Publishers Weekly compiled a list of the best-selling children's books, with 16 of the top 100 hardcover books written by Geisel.
2000: Premieres of Live-Action Grinch Film and Seussical
In 2000, the live-action feature-film version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas starring Jim Carrey, and the Seuss-themed Broadway musical called Seussical both premiered.
2002: Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden Opened
In 2002, the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, featuring sculptures of Geisel and his characters, opened in Springfield, Massachusetts.
2003: Release of The Cat in the Hat Live-Action Film
In 2003, a live-action film adaptation of The Cat in the Hat was released, featuring Mike Myers as the title character.
2004: Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Established
In 2004, U.S. children's librarians established the annual Theodor Seuss Geisel Award to recognize distinguished American books for beginning readers.
2005: Premiere of Gerald McBoing-Boing Remake
In 2005, Gerald McBoing-Boing, a remake of the 1956 series, began airing.
2007: End of Gerald McBoing-Boing Remake
In 2007, Gerald McBoing-Boing, a remake of the 1956 series, ended airing.
March 14, 2008: Release of Horton Hears a Who! CGI film
On March 14, 2008, the first animated CGI feature film adaptation of Horton Hears a Who! was released to positive reviews.
2008: Dr. Seuss Inducted into the California Hall of Fame
In 2008, Dr. Seuss was inducted into the California Hall of Fame.
2009: High Sales of Classic Books
In 2009, classic Dr. Seuss books like "Green Eggs and Ham" and "The Cat in the Hat" continued to have high sales, outselling most newly published children's books.
September 6, 2010: Premiere of The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! (United States)
On September 6, 2010, The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! premiered in the United States.
September 2011: Release of The Bippolo Seed and Other Lost Stories
In September 2011, seven stories originally published in magazines during the 1950s were released in a collection titled The Bippolo Seed and Other Lost Stories.
March 2, 2012: Release of The Lorax CGI film
On March 2, 2012, The Lorax CGI film adaptation was released by Universal on what would have been Seuss's 108th birthday.
April 4, 2012: Dartmouth Medical School Renamed
On April 4, 2012, Dartmouth Medical School was renamed the Audrey and Theodor Geisel School of Medicine in honor of their generosity.
2012: Crater on Mercury Named After Geisel
In 2012, a crater on the planet Mercury was named after Geisel.
2017: The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum Opened
In 2017, The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum opened next to the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden in the Springfield Museums Quadrangle.
November 9, 2018: Release of The Grinch CGI film
On November 9, 2018, The Grinch, a CGI-animated feature film, was released by Universal.
December 19, 2018: Death of Audrey Geisel
On December 19, 2018, Audrey Geisel, Dr. Seuss's second wife, passed away at the age of 97.
2018: Ongoing Production of The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!
As of 2018, The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! is producing new episodes.
November 8, 2019: Premiere of Green Eggs and Ham on Netflix
On November 8, 2019, Green Eggs and Ham, an animated streaming television adaptation of Geisel's 1960 book of the same title, premiered on Netflix.
March 2, 2021: Dr. Seuss Enterprises Stops Publishing Six Books
On March 2, 2021, Dr. Seuss Enterprises announced that it will stop publishing and licensing six books due to their portrayal of people in ways that are hurtful and wrong.
2022: Premiere of Green Eggs and Ham: The Second Serving
In 2022, Green Eggs and Ham: The Second Serving premiered.
