The Life and Legacy of William Strunk, Jr.

On the first day of July in 1869, Cincinnati, Ohio, welcomed William Strunk, Jr. into the world. He pursued his academic dreams at the University of Cincinnati, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in 1890, before furthering his education with a Ph.D. from Cornell University in 1896. Strunk's passion for teaching English thrived at Cornell, where he dedicated forty-six years to shaping young minds.

In 1918, Strunk crafted the initial edition of The Elements of Style, a concise manual designed for his students' benefit, privately printed to share his insights. This cornerstone of English composition underwent a transformation in 1935 into The Elements and Practice of Composition, enriched by the collaboration of Edward A. Tenney. Aside from his editorial prowess, Strunk penned only one other book, English Metres, published in 1922, which enjoyed local acclaim. His editorial expertise polished the works of literary giants such as William Shakespeare, John Dryden, and James Fenimore Cooper.

In 1900, Strunk and Olivia Emilie Locke embarked on their journey together as husband and wife, raising a family of two sons and a daughter. His life’s chapter concluded in Ithaca, New York, on September 26, 1946, leaving behind a legacy etched in education and literature.

The Journey of Elwyn Brooks White

Elwyn Brooks White, celebrated under the pen name E. B. White, was born amid the bustling life of Mount Vernon, New York, on July 11, 1899. As a student of Strunk at Cornell, he achieved his bachelor’s degree in 1921, setting the stage for a distinguished writing career. By 1926, White found his place at the burgeoning The New Yorker, a publication that would soon become a beacon for some of the brightest literary talents of the era. Though renowned for his essays and humor, White captured the imaginations of readers young and old with his timeless children’s novels, including Stuart Little (1945), Charlotte’s Web (1952; a Newbery Honor Book for 1953 adorned with numerous accolades), and The Trumpet of the Swan (1970; a National Book Award nominee in 1971 and the recipient of several prizes, including the Children’s Book Award from the William Allen White Library at Emporia State University). White's literary contributions earned him numerous accolades, crowned by a Pulitzer Prize special citation in 1978.

The year 1957 marked a pivotal moment when Macmillan engaged White to breathe new life into Strunk’s "little book," as the professor fondly dubbed it, for public consumption. The 1959 publication of The Elements of Style metamorphosed into the revered "Strunk and White" edition, a staple for countless college students across the generations.

In 1929, White united with Katharine Sergeant Angell, a fellow editor at The New Yorker, and together they welcomed a son. Angell also brought a son and daughter from her previous marriage into their family. E. B. White's story concluded in the serene landscape of North Brooklin, Maine, on October 1, 1985, as he succumbed to Alzheimer’s disease, leaving an indelible mark on the world of literature.