E. B. White

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Elwyn Brooks White was born on July 11, 1899, in Mount Vernon, New York. In a 1980 article from the New York Times he discusses his name: “I never liked Elwyn. My mother just hung it on me because she’d run out of names. I was her sixth child.” Later, at Cornell University, he was called Andy and the name stuck with him for life. Andy had several newspaper jobs before starting at the New Yorker magazine in 1927. He worked there as a writer and contributing editor throughout the rest of his career. This is also where he met his wife Katharine. Their son Joel was born in 1930. White wrote plenty for adults including his contribution to The Elements of Style which is familiar to just about anyone who has ever studied writing. As for his classic children’s books, the first was Stuart Little in 1945. This story about an adventurous mouse became very popular. Next came Charlotte’s Web in 1952. I would guess everyone is familiar with this beautiful classic. If you’d like a real treat, I highly recommend listening to the audio book read by the author. I’ve heard it took him many tries to get through the emotional parts of the story without bursting into tears while recording.  The success of Charlotte’s Web was followed by The Trumpet of the Swan in 1970. Awards included the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1963, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal in 1970, the National Medal for Literature in 1971, and a Pulitzer Prize special citation in 1978. White died at his home in North Brooklin, Maine on October 1, 1985.
I recently had the pleasure of attending a program about E. B. White. This event was the closing ceremony of the annual Newburyport Literary Festival. After an interesting discussion, a question and answer session followed. Panelists were Melissa Sweet and Martha White. Melissa is the amazingly talented illustrator/author of one of my most favorite new books of the past year. Some Writer! The Story of E. B. White is one of those books you want to put on your shelf to return to again and again—so much to see on each page. Martha White is not only an author herself, but she is also E. B. White’s   granddaughter. The talk was moderated by journalist Leslie Hendrickson. The second picture shows Martha speaking in front of the large slide show that accompanied their talks.I would  someday love to be one of the lucky few who get to visit and tour E. B. White’s homestead in Maine, but until that day I’ve put together some of his wise words to wrap up this post.

60 Responses to “E. B. White”

  1. pierrmorgan

    A beautiful, post, Marcia. Stuart and Charlotte are two of my all time favorite characters. I hadn’t heard about “Some Writer.” Heading out to the library today! And I especially like the quotes you’ve displayed on photos here (ones you took?). Thank you!

    Reply
  3. Barbara

    This is another lovely, informative post Marcia, with wonderful quotes from E. B. White. “A library is a good place” and “Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder” are my favourites. Adding those words to that particular image is inspired.
    ‘Some Writer’ is on the top of my must-read list. I know I will enjoy it.

    Reply
  4. Bobbi

    What a fascinating discussion and backstory on E.B. White! I love all his books, now more than ever!

    Reply
    • Marcia Strykowski

      As I was typing this up, it hit me how many years were between his three children’s books. And even though I realize he was writing all sorts of other things, still—gives us hope!

      Reply
  5. mirkabreen

    Wonderful post, written like a librarian who is also an author (or vise versa 😉 ) Elwyn Brooks White and his stories for children are treasures.

    Reply
  6. Sharon Wilfong

    Very nice review! E.B. White is one of my favorites. I did not know the “E” stood for Elwyn. Charlotte’s Web was one of my favorite books in the second grade. I remember ordering my copy from the Scholastic Book Club. Years later I belonged to a parent book club and got a number of his books and read them to my son.

    Reply
    • Marcia Strykowski

      Sounds like you have some great memories of his work, Sharon. Such a special thing the way his carefully chosen words live on through the generations.

      Reply
  10. eastcoastapproach

    Loved the post just as I love E.B. White. Have you read “One Man’s Meat”? I wish I would’ve known about the event. Sounds like it was wonderful!

    Reply
  11. Jessica

    Beautiful post! Love Charlotte’s Web! I haven’t heard of “Some Writer” and will get it. Thank you.

    Reply
  13. Colleen

    What a beautiful post! i love E.B. White’s books! I also love his wife Katharine’s writings about gardening. Very inspiring. Thank you, Marcia, for brightening my day!

    Reply
  15. Jennie

    Marcia, this is a wonderful post! Of course I am the biggest Charlotte’s Web fan in the world. I thoroughly enjoyed this read. Thank you. Tell me about Some Writer. What reading level? YA? Younger? I must read it!!

    Reply
  16. Ashley

    I love learning about this author, his books are great!! Your picture quotes turned out great!!

    Reply
  17. Bette Norton

    What a wonderful post! Stuart Little and Charlotte’s Web are favorites of mine. I am very interested in reading “Some Writer.” I love reading some of EB White’s quotes! What a great opportunity for you to see Martha White at the Newburyport Literary Festival. I enjoyed learning more about EB White. What a wonderful writer he was! 🙂

    Reply
  18. Stephanie Fairday's Blog

    I read all his children’s books that you wrote about here. Charlotte’s Web has always been a favorite. I will have to check out the audio book version. I didn’t know much about EB White- so I am definitely interested in the book his granddaughter and Melissa created. It looks beautiful.

    So glad you were able to go to the talk!

    Reply
    • Marcia Strykowski

      Nice to hear from another fan of E. B. White. I think you’ll enjoy Melissa’s book and the audio version of Charlotte’s Web is wonderful, too. One of Martha White’s books is a compilation of essays, poems, etc. her grandfather wrote about his various dogs over the years. I’m sure that’s interesting, too. Thanks, Stephanie!

      Reply
  20. Rhonda Sittig

    Lovely post Marcia– I’ve read his books you highlighted– but did not know he contributed to Elements of Style!! That was my daughters favorite all though her years of high school!! And I did read Charlotte’s Web to my students every year in 4th grade– so much to talk about with kids that age… Love you blog–feels like a conversation with an old (smart) friend! xox

    Reply
    • Marcia Strykowski

      It’s wonderful how Charlotte’s Web gets passed on to the next generation by so many thoughtful teachers. I guess Elements of Style came out in 1920 and then almost 30 years later, White completely revised and expanded the book. Your daughter must be a good writer with having that book by her side throughout high school. Thanks for your visit, Rhonda! xo

      Reply
  22. claudinegueh

    Oh, Marcia, what great timing. I borrowed “Some Writer!” from the library just yesterday and today I read this post! I know I’m going to enjoy this book very much. 🙂

    Reply
  24. Angie

    Great post! I’ve read this book and it is one you need to go back and read again and again. Gorgeous! I reblogged this on angiequantrell.wordpress.com. 🙂

    Reply
      • littlelilly

        Thanks Marcia, and yes all is good here. Was very busy for the past days due to final exams. How about you? How have you been? Is it already summer there? Have a nice weekend, Marcia! xoxo

        Reply
        • Marcia Strykowski

          Yes, the hot weather has finally arrived after much back and forth–cold one day, hot the next, but that’s New England. 🙂 Hope your exams went well and Happy Weekend to you, too! xoxo

          Reply
  27. skyblueseagreen

    E.B. White’s books are among my favorite. They are full of substance, and peace. The quotations you included are excellent for life! Thanks Marcia!

    Reply

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