James Thurber

James Thurber, Humorist and cartoonist. Born December 8, 1894 in Columbus, Ohio, U.S.. Died November 2, 1961 in New York City, New York.

Mostly known for his contributions (both single-panel cartoons and short stories) to New Yorker magazine in the 1920s and 1930s.

Thurber suffered from very poor eyesight due to a childhood injury. His eyes grew weaker as he grew older. He drew his cartoons on very large sheets of paper using a thick black crayon, giving them an eerie, wobbly feel that seems to suit their contents.

For those interested in trying his work, the two short stories "The dog who bit people" and "The night the bed fell on father" are among his best. They can be found in My Life and Hard Times. Also notable, and often anthologized, are "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty", "The Greatest Man In The World" and "If Grant Had Been Drinking at Appomatox", which can be found in The Thurber Carnival.

Books:

• Fables for Our Times
• Is Sex Necessary? (with E. B. White)
• Let Your Mind Alone!
• My World and Welcome To It
• My Life and Hard Times
• (others)

Collections:

• The Thurber Carnival (selected works from many of the above).