Known as Dr. Seuss, Theodor Geisel wrote 46 children's books that sold 200 million copies. They have been translated into 20 different languages and are read by children around the world. His funny names for his unusual creatures and his ability to rhyme anything make his books enjoyable for everyone, young and old.

Ted was born in Springfield, Massachusetts on March 2, 1904. His father was from Germany and was a successful brewer, until Prohibition in 1920 forced him to quit. He became a part-time zoo keeper and park supervisor and Ted was very fond of the zoo. He would draw the animals and make up his own strange creatures on the walls of the family's attic, where his mother let him doodle. His mom liked his drawings and encouraged him to do more.

Theodor had two sisters, but one died of pneumonia when she was 18 months old and Ted was almost five. He and his remaining sister grew up as best friends. He was shy, but his silly drawings entertained his classmates at school and helped him make friends. One of his high school art teachers wasn't impressed with his doodling and told him he shouldn't try to make a career in the art field.

He went to Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire and studied literature. He drew cartoons and wrote articles for the school newspaper. After graduating in 1925, he went to Oxford University in England to get a doctorate in literature. He didn't think he could make a living doing what he loved--drawing--so he planned on becoming a professor. At Oxford, he met American student Helen Palmer who encouraged him to pursue his art. They were married in 1927 and Ted left Oxford.

He worked in advertising for 15 years, his most successful campaign being for bug spray. "Quick, Henry! The Flit!" with Geisel's outrageous insect drawings was popular for years. In his spare time, he worked on writing and illustrating a children's alphabet book, but no one would publish it. In 1936, he wrote "And to Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street" and after being rejected by 43 publishers for being too fanciful, it was finally published by someone he knew, under the pen name, Dr. Seuss. It became very popular.

During World War II, Geisel went to Hollywood to write war documentaries. He won an Academy Award and an Oscar for his work. He and Helen liked California so much, that they moved to La Jolla in 1948. They built their home around a watchtower overlooking the ocean. He worked eight hours every day of the week in his office with an amazing view.

In 1954, John Hersey reported that books for teaching reading were too boring. Geisel's publisher assigned him to write a book using 250 easy words for children. "The Cat in the Hat", published in 1957, was written in nine months. Random House had Geisel and his wife start their Beginner Books Division in 1958. In 1960, Dr. Seuss wrote "Green Eggs and Ham" in response to a challenge by his publisher to write a book with only 50 different words. It was the one book that could make Geisel laugh every time he read it.

After visiting Hiroshima, Dr. Seuss wrote "Horton Hears a Who" about the importance of every life. He wrote other books with messages, like "The Lorax" about the environment, "The Butter Battle Book" about war and tolerance, and "You're Only Old Once" for senior citizens.

His wife, Helen, died on October 23, 1967. Instead of a funeral, a library was dedicated in her name. He later married Audrey Stone Dimond who had two daughters of her own. Dr. Seuss died on September 24, 1991 after years of throat cancer. He will be remembered for generations for his creative drawings, catchy words and meaningful messages.