Origins & Early Life

Elwyn Brooks White (July 11, 1899 – October 1, 1985) was an American writer, essayist, and a contributing editor for The New Yorker magazine. He was also the author of highly popular books for children: Stuart Little (1945), Charlotte's Web (1952), and The Trumpet of the Swan (1970). In a 2012 survey of School Library Journal readers, Charlotte's Web was ranked first in their poll of the top one hundred children's novels. White was co-author of The Elements of Style, an English language style guide.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Kurt Vonnegut called White "one of the most admirable prose stylists our country has so far produced." White was born in Mount Vernon, New York, on July 11, 1899, the sixth and youngest child of Samuel Tilly White, the president of a piano firm, and Jessie Hart White, the daughter of Scottish-American painter William Hart. Elwyn's older brother Stanley Hart White, known as Stan, a professor of landscape architecture and the inventor of the vertical garden, taught E. B. White to read and explore the natural world. White attended Cornell University, where he was briefly a private in the Student Army Training Corps (SATC), created by the US Department...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Al Capone — Contemporary (Born in 1899) (1899): Notorious American gangster and businessman during the Prohibition era.
• Alfred Hitchcock — Contemporary (Born in 1899) (1899): Master of Suspense, influential English filmmaker known for psychological thrillers.
• Buick — Contemporary (Born in 1899) (1899): A historic American automotive brand, a premium division of General Motors.
• Billy Magnussen — Contemporary (Born in 1985) (1985): American actor known for film roles in 'Aladdin' and 'Bridge of Spies'
• Bruno Mars — Contemporary (Born in 1985) (1985): Pop icon known for retro showmanship and versatile songwriting.
• Cristiano Ronaldo — Contemporary (Born in 1985) (1985): Iconic Portuguese forward, celebrated for unparalleled goal-scoring records and longevity.
• George Gershwin — Shared historical date (07-11 · Died) (1937): Pioneering composer blending jazz, popular, and classical American sounds.
• Giuseppe Arcimboldo — Shared historical date (07-11 · Died) (1593): Mannerist painter famed for composite portraits made of fruits, vegetables, and objects.
• Abby Stein — Shared historical date (10-01 · Born) (1991): Israeli-American author, rabbi, and activist who speaks on faith and gender identity.
• Antonio Inoki — Shared historical date (10-01 · Died) (2022): Pioneering Japanese wrestler, martial artist, and political figure.
• 1899 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1899
• July 11 (07-11) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on July 11
• 1985 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1985
• October 1 (10-01) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on October 1