FAMOUS PERSON OF THE WEEK: Theodor Geisel

Theodor Seuss Geisel (March 2, 1904 – September 24, 1991)

Writing a bestseller is a difficult task, but it takes special talent to cook up one with an arsenal of just 50 words. In this case, the only push that was needed was $50, and of course a bet that was hanging in the air.

I could not, would not, in a house.

I would not, could not, with a mouse.

I would not eat them with a fox.

I would not eat them in a box.

I would not eat them here or there.

I would not eat them anywhere.

I would not eat green eggs and ham.

I do not like them, Sam-I-am.

‘Green Eggs and Ham’ remains Dr Seuss’ best selling book, followed by the 225 worded, and my personal favourite, ‘The Cat in the Hat’. Perhaps one of the reasons Dr Seuss books are so well-loved is because of the adorable, imaginative plots, usage of easy words and their catchy rhythms. This was in fact deliberate, as a Life magazine article had found that school children were reluctant to learn to read because their books were boring. Prior to this, children’s books endorsed by schools often featured unnaturally clean and well-behaved children, a message which they perhaps secretly revolted against. ‘The Cat in the Hat’ was the beginning of the Dr Seuss children’s books we see today.

The pen name Dr Seuss was influenced by Theodor Geisel’s parents. ‘Seuss’ was his mother’s maiden name, while "Dr." was an acknowledgement of his father’s unfulfilled hope that Theodor would earn a doctorate in Oxford. While Theodor did go to Oxford, his doctorate never materialized as he fell in love there and married Helen Palmer, who would be his wife until her death.

But Theodor Geisel was more than just a talented children’s book author, he wrote books for adults too, a number of which were satires. Also, at various stages of his career, he wrote for humour magazines as well as other famous publications that still exist today, one of which includes Vanity Fair. Interestingly, he first became nationally famous from his advertisements for Flit, a common insecticide at the time. His slogan, "Quick, Henry, the Flit!" became a popular catchphrase. He also was active in politics, making award-winning films for the United States Armed Forces during WWII.

But perhaps what amused me most was how he applied one of his children’s books to then current politics. Shortly before the end of the Watergate scandal, Geisel converted one of his famous children's books into a bold polemic. "Richard M. Nixon, Will You Please Go Now!" was published in major newspapers through the column of his friend Art Buchwald. Nine days later, Nixon went.

To cut a long story short, I guess what I’m trying to say is that there’s more to Dr Seuss than meets the eye. (: