James Thurber
Biography
James Thurber
James Grover Thurber was an American cartoonist, author, journalist, playwright, and celebrated wit. Thurber was best known for his cartoons and short stories, published mainly in The New Yorker magazine and collected in his numerous books
Early Life
Thurber was born in Columbus, Ohio, to Charles L. Thurber and Mary Agnes "Mame" (nee Fisher)Thurber on December 8, 1894. Both of his parents greatly influenced his work. His father, a here and there/rarely employed clerk and minor politician who dreamed of being a lawyer or an actor,is said to have been the inspiration for the small, shy main character just like many of his stories.Thurber described his mother as a "born comedian" and "one of the finest comic talents I think I Have ever known." She was a practical joker, on one occasion pretended to be badly injured and attended a faith healer (coming back to life or popularity after a long time), only to jump up and make herself healed.
Moving to New York
- In 1925, Thurber moved to Greenwich Village in New York City, getting a job as a reporter for the New York Evening Post. He joined the staff of The New Yorker in 1927 as an editor, with the help of E.B. White, his friend and fellow New Yorker contributor. His career as a cartoonist began in 1930 after White found some of Thurber's drawings in a trash can and submitted them for (book, magazine, etc.); White inked-in some of these earlier drawings to make them reproduce better for the magazine, and years later expressed deep regret that he had done such a thing. Thurber Added/gave both his writings and his drawings to The New Yorker until the 1950s.
Marriage and Family
- Thurber was married twice. In 1922, Thurber married Althea Adams. The marriage was troubled and ended in divorce in May 1935. They had a daughter Rosemary together, and lived in Fairfield County, Connecticut. He remarried in June 1935 to Helen Wismer.
Death
- Thurber was suddenly made very sick with a blood clot on the brain on October 4, 1961, and had emergency surgery. The operation was successful, but he died, (old/allowed to get old/got older) 66, due to difficulties from dangerous lung disease which set in.