E. B. White

Date of Birth: July 11, 1899

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: October 1, 1985

Biography

E. B. White, born Elwyn Brooks White, was an esteemed American writer known for his contributions to literature both in fiction and non-fiction. He was born on July 11, 1899, in Mount Vernon, New York. White is most famous for his classic children’s books, including “Charlotte’s Web,” “Stuart Little,” and “The Trumpet of the Swan.” White graduated from Cornell University in 1921, where he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and was known for his writing talent. After graduation, he worked various jobs before joining the staff of The New Yorker magazine in 1927. His contributions to the magazine, especially his essays and editorials, established him as a significant literary figure. In addition to his work for The New Yorker, White co-authored the English language style guide, “The Elements of Style,” with William Strunk Jr., which has become a staple in American writing education. White married Katharine Sergeant Angell, a fiction editor at The New Yorker, in 1929. The couple moved to a farm in Maine in the 1930s, where White continued to write and draw inspiration from his surroundings. White passed away on October 1, 1985, leaving behind a legacy of beloved works that continue to be cherished by readers of all ages.

5 Interesting Facts about E. B. White

1. E. B. White was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1963.

2. White’s book “Charlotte’s Web” was named the best American children’s book of the past 200 years by the Children’s Literature Association.

3. He was posthumously inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 1973.

4. White was known for his long-standing relationship with The New Yorker, contributing for nearly six decades.

5. He had a deep love for farming and spent much of his life on a farm in North Brooklin, Maine.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from E. B. White

1. “Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder.”

2. “I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.”

3. “Writing is an act of faith, not a trick of grammar.”

4. “I am suspicious of both facility and speed. Good writing is essentially rewriting. I am positive of this.”

5. “Reading is the work of the alert mind, is demanding, and under ideal conditions produces finally a sort of ecstasy.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

E. B. White’s highest net worth is not precisely documented, but his successful career as a writer and the enduring popularity of his works have made him a significant figure in American literature.

Children

E. B. White had one biological son, Joel McCoun White, born in 1930, and two stepchildren, Roger Angell and Nancy Angell. Roger Angell became a noted writer and editor for The New Yorker, much like his stepfather.