Today Google Doodle celebrates the 88th birthday of the famed macabre author and illustrator, Edward Gorey, who wrote and illustrated over a 100 books. The doodle feature Gorey chatting with one of his best known characters, the Doubtful guest.
Best known for his gruesome yet hilarious children’s books THE GASHLYCRUMB TINIES and THE DOUBTFUL GUEST, Gorey’s influences ranged from famed children’s authors like Lewis Carroll and Edward Lear to more mature literary figures like Charles Dickens and Agatha Christie.
Gorey made a successful career out of writing and illustrating books that simultaneously appealed to adults and children alike. Despite having died thirteen years ago, his works are still immensely beloved and we don’t see people losing interest in his kooky and creepy characters anytime soon!
DID YOU KNOW?
- Because of the Victorian-like settings of his books, people assumed he was British when actually he was born and raised in the United States and had barely ever left the country.
- He sometimes wrote books under the names Ogdred Weary and Mrs. Regera Dowdy which were anagrams of his own name.
- He found traditional positive cautionary tales for children “boring, boring boring” which is why he chose his own unique way to entertain kids.
- Besides illustrating his own books, Gorey also illustrated other literary classics like WAR OF THE WORLD by H.G. Wells and DRACULA by Bram Stoker.
- His house in Cape Cod is now the Edward Gorey House museum dedicated to him.