16 July 1927: Theodor Geisel publishes his first cartoon

Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr Seuss, developed an early passion for illustration while working on his college’s humour magazine. After attending Lincoln College, Oxford, to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy in English literature, Geisel met his future wife, who encouraged him to leave academia and follow his passion for drawing. At 23, he left Oxford without a degree and returned to the USA, where he struggled to break into publishing and advertising. His big break came with his first nationally published cartoon in The Saturday Evening Post on 16 July 1927, which earned him $25 and prompted his move to New York City.

That same year, he began working as a writer and illustrator for the humour magazine Judge, where his first work signed “Dr Seuss” appeared in 1928. Despite initial challenges, Geisel’s distinctive style gained popularity, and in 1937, he published his first book, And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, solidifying his identity as Dr Seuss.

In the decades that followed, Dr Seuss became a beloved figure in children’s literature, known for his playful language and moral lessons in classics like The Cat in the Hat (1957), How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1957), and Green Eggs and Ham (1960). He also created political cartoons during World War II and contributed to adult literature.

Geisel wrote more than 60 books over the course of his long career. Most were published under his well-known pseudonym, Dr Seuss, though he also authored more than a dozen books as Theo LeSieg and one as Rosetta Stone. His books have topped many bestseller lists, sold over 600 million copies, and been translated into more than 20 languages