Date of Birth: November 14, 1907
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
Date of Death: October 3, 2003
Biography
William Steig was an American cartoonist, sculptor, and author of children’s books. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Steig is perhaps best known for his work published in The New Yorker and for writing the children’s book “Shrek!”, which inspired the hugely successful film franchise. Steig had a unique career trajectory that spanned over six decades, during which he crafted a distinct style characterized by whimsical and often anthropomorphic characters. Steig’s early life was influenced by his artistic family; his father was a house painter and his mother a seamstress, both of whom encouraged his artistic pursuits. He attended the National Academy of Design and briefly the City College of New York. His career took off in the 1930s when he started contributing cartoons to The New Yorker, ultimately publishing over 1,600 drawings and 117 covers for the magazine. Later in his career, Steig turned to writing and illustrating children’s books, where he found significant success. Titles like “Sylvester and the Magic Pebble,” which won the Caldecott Medal, and “Doctor De Soto” became classics. His work in children’s literature is celebrated for its humor, warmth, and moral depth.
5 Interesting Facts about William Steig
1. William Steig published his first book, “Amos & Boris,” at the age of 61.
2. He was awarded the Caldecott Medal for his book “Sylvester and the Magic Pebble” in 1970.
3. Steig created the character Shrek, who later became the protagonist of a highly popular animated film series by DreamWorks.
4. He began contributing to The New Yorker in 1930 and continued for over 70 years.
5. Steig’s work has been translated into many languages and remains popular worldwide.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from William Steig
1. “Art, in itself, is an attempt to bring order out of chaos.”
2. “I feel that I am a man of the past, not quite fit for this present world.”
3. “Children know something that most people have forgotten.”
4. “If I’d had my way, I’d have been a Frenchman. I always thought of myself as a Frenchman.”
5. “Writing is an affair of yearning for great voyages and hauling on frayed ropes.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, William Steig’s net worth was estimated to be around $5 million.
Children
William Steig had four children: Margaret Steig, Jeremy Steig, Elizabeth Steig, and Lucy Steig. His son Jeremy Steig was a renowned jazz flutist.
Relevant Links
1. [William Steig – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Steig
2. [The New Yorker – William Steig](https://www.newyorker.com/contributors/william-steig
3. [Goodreads – William Steig](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/245.William_Steig
