Elwyn Brooks White, renowned for his multifaceted contributions to literature, earned his reputation across various genres. He is best known for his work in the areas of style manuals, fiction, poetry, and children's literature, despite having authored over twenty volumes.

Early Life and Education

Born on July 11, 1899, in Mount Vernon, New York, E. B. White grew up in a suburban environment thanks to his father's piano manufacturing business. After a brief stint in the Army as a private during 1918, he enrolled at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. During his time there, he contributed to The Cornell Daily Star, and studied under the guidance of Professor William Strunk, Jr., who authored The Elements of Style. This text, with its in-depth grammar advice and guidelines on pronoun use and punctuation, as well as later suggestions for avoiding sexism, would leave a lasting influence on White.

Early Career and The New Yorker

Upon graduating in 1921, White explored various job opportunities, including stints as a reporter for the United Press, the American Legion News Service, and the Seattle Times. By 1924, he had returned to New York, engaging in roles such as advertising copywriter and production assistant, before finding his place at the newly established The New Yorker. There, he eventually met Katherine Sergeant Angell, the first literary editor, whom he married in 1929. They had three children and surrounded themselves with contemporaries like Dorothy Parker, Robert Benchley, Stephen Leacock, and James Thurber. White collaborated with Thurber on Is Sex Necessary?, a parody of the sex manuals popular at the time.

Contributions to Literature and Poetry

During his eleven-year tenure at The New Yorker, White penned essays that delved into the intricacies of contemporary life, from technological failures to the beauty of both rural and urban settings. His collections, Ho-Hum and Another Ho-Hum, compiled these thoughts. Meanwhile, The Wild Flag gathered articles from his "Talk of the Town" columns that showcased his support for internationalism and the United Nations, noted for their clarity and insight.

White's poetry, celebrated for its wit and precision, was published in two collections: The Lady Is Cold and The Fox of Peapack, and Other Poems. In 1935, he was tasked by Macmillan to edit Strunk's The Elements of Style, which he later revised in 1959, 1972, and 1979, securing its place as a seminal English-language style guide.

Life in Maine and Further Literary Ventures

In 1938, the Whites relocated to North Brooklin, Maine, where the serene countryside and its animals inspired White's creativity and helped him combat depression. Together with his wife, he edited A Subtreasury of American Humor, released in 1941, and contributed to Harper’s with a monthly column "One Man’s Meat", which later became a book that remained in print for fifty-five years. During this period, he also found time to offer poetry and additional writings to Harper’s.

Transition to Children’s Literature

One night, a dream about a mouse named Stuart Little sparked White's foray into children's literature. What began as a story intended for his young niece took twelve years to complete, resulting in Stuart Little, a now-classic children's tale. His second children's book, Charlotte’s Web, drew on his rural experiences and a fascination with animal life and mortality. This story of a spider and a pig became a bestseller, receiving numerous accolades, including the Newbery Honor Medal and the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award.

Later Works and Recognition

White's third children's book, The Trumpet of the Swan, tells the story of Louis, a mute swan who learns to play the trumpet. This tale of overcoming adversity won the Sue Hefley Award and the Young Hoosier Award and was cherished by young readers in Oklahoma and Kansas. In 1978, White received a Pulitzer Prize special citation for his overall contribution to literature.

His illustrious career continued with accolades including the National Medal for Literature in 1971 and honorary degrees from seven academic institutions. The National Institute of Arts and Letters awarded him the Gold Medal for Essays and Criticism, and in 1973, he was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters. E. B. White passed away due to Alzheimer's disease on October 1, 1985, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire.