Who was E. B. White? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Elwyn Brooks White

Died At Age: 86

Family:

father: Samuel Tilly White

mother: Jessie Hart White

siblings: Stanley Hart White

Born Country: United States

Essayists Journalists

Died on: October 1, 1985

place of death: Brooklin, Maine, United States

Cause of Death: Alzheimer

City: Mount Vernon, New York

U.S. State: New Yorkers

More Facts

education: Cornell University

Recommended For You

1

What are some of E. B. White's most famous works?

E. B. White is best known for his works such as "Charlotte's Web," "Stuart Little," and "The Elements of Style."
2

What was E. B. White's writing style like?

E. B. White's writing style was characterized by its simplicity, clarity, and humor, making his works accessible to readers of all ages.
3

Did E. B. White have any notable collaborations in his writing career?

E. B. White collaborated with William Strunk Jr. on the iconic writing guide "The Elements of Style," which has become a staple for writers and students.
4

How did E. B. White's background influence his writing?

E. B. White's rural upbringing in Maine and his love for nature greatly influenced his writing, leading to themes of friendship, nature, and the importance of community in his works.

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Childhood & Early Life

Born in Mount Vernon, New York, U.S., Elwyn Brooks White was the youngest of six children of Samuel Tilly White, a piano manufacturer, and Jessie Hart White. He received his early education at local public schools in Mount Vernon.

Later, he attended Cornell University where he was the editor of “The Cornell Daily Sun”. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from this university in 1921.

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Career

From 1921 to 1922, he worked for the United Press International and the American Legion News Service. After leaving this job, he worked as a reporter for the “Seattle Times” from 1922 to 1923.

Next, he worked as a production assistant and copy writer for the Frank Seaman advertising agency. At the same time, he used to publish his poems in “The Conning Tower”.

After the publication of his articles titled “Defense of the Bronx River” in “New Yorker” magazine in 1925, he got noticed for his literary abilities.

In 1927, he joined “New Yorker” as its contributing editor. He wrote a number of essays, poems and other pieces for this periodical. Together with fellow writer James Thurber, he played a crucial role in the improvement of this publication.

His poetry collection “The Lady Is Cold” appeared in 1929. Later, together with writer James Thurber, he authored “Is Sex Necessary? Or, Why You Feel the Way You Do”, a collection of prose.

In 1930, he shifted to a farm in Maine, New England, USA with his family.

In 1931, he published “Ho Hum: Newsbreaks from the New Yorker”. In the following year, his book “Another Ho Hum: More Newsbreaks from the New Yorker” appeared.

In 1934, he published “Every Day Is Saturday”. Later, in 1936, the “New Yorker” published one of his essays “Farewell My Lovely!” under the pseudonym Lee Strout. This piece of writing secured him a place in the country’s literary circles.

He published his poetry collection “The Fox of Peapack” in 1938. In the same year, he started writing a monthly column titled “One Man’s Meat” in “Harper’s Magazine”. He wrote this column for the next five years.

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Encouraged by his niece, he started writing children’s books. His first children’s book “Stuart Little” appeared in 1945. This is a story of a little mouse whose parents are human beings.

His novel “Charlotte’s Web” appeared in 1952. This book unfolds the story of friendship between a pig and a spider.

In 1954, his book “The Second Tree from the Corner” appeared. In 1959, he published “The Elements of Style”, a guide book about American English writing style. In 1962, he published “The Points of My Compass”. In 1970, he published another children’s book titled “The Trumpet of the Swan” that tells the story of male swan born without a voice.

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Major Works

Published in 1945, his novel “Stuart Little” earned him instant fame as the writer of a classic book for children.

His short book “Here Is New York” appeared in 1949. This book provides detailed description of the city of New York. Through this book, he praises the loneliness and privacy that this city offers to its residents.

His book “Charlotte’s Web” was published in 1952. This novel presents an interesting story of Wilbur, a pig and Charlotte, a spider. This book is notable for its usage of rhythm in its content

“The Trumpet of the Swan”, his third children’s book appeared in 1970. This book unfolds the story of a male swan and his effort to play a trumpet to impress a female swan.

Awards & Achievements

In 1970, he won the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal for his long lasting contribution in the arena of children’s literature by authoring books like “Stuart Little” and “Charlotte’s Web”.

Personal Life & Legacy

He married Katharine Angell, the literary editor of “The New Yorker” in 1929. They had a son, Joel White.

Elwyn Brooks White breathed his last at the age of 86 at his home in North Brooklin, Maine.

Facts About E. B. White

White, the beloved author of "Charlotte's Web," was an avid sailor and spent many hours on his boat, finding inspiration for his writing while on the water.

White was known for his love of animals. He often included animals in his stories and essays, drawing on his own experiences and observations.

In addition to writing children's books, White was also a skilled essayist and wrote for The New Yorker for many years, covering a wide range of topics with wit and insight.

White was a modest and private person, preferring to let his writing speak for itself rather than seeking out fame or recognition.

Despite his success as a writer, White remained humble and down-to-earth, valuing simplicity and honesty in his work and life.

E. B. White Biography

You wanted to know

What are some of E. B. White's most famous works?

What was E. B. White's writing style like?

Did E. B. White have any notable collaborations in his writing career?

How did E. B. White's background influence his writing?