Origins & Early Life

William Steig ( STYGHE; November 14, 1907 – October 3, 2003) was an American cartoonist, illustrator, and children's book author best known for his picture book Shrek, which inspired the film series of the same name. Steig was a prolific contributor of both cartoons and cover illustrations for The New Yorker magazine, and he developed a style of less humorous line drawings that became common on greeting cards as well as in his several published collections. Steig began writing children's books at age 61, and went on to publish more than 30 other than Shrek, including Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, Abel's Island, CDC?, and Doctor De Soto. Steig was the U.S.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

nominee for the biennial and international Hans Christian Andersen Awards, as both a children's book illustrator in 1982 and a writer in 1988. Steig was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1907, and grew up in the Bronx. His parents were Polish-Jewish immigrants from Lemberg, Austria-Hungary, and were both socialists. His father, Joseph Steig, was a house painter, and his mother, Laura Ebel Steig, was a seamstress who encouraged his artistic leanings. "My parents didn't want their sons to become laborers...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

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

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abraham Joshua Heschel — Contemporary (Born in 1907) (1907): Leading 20th-century American rabbi, theologian, and philosopher.
• Alexander Knox — Contemporary (Born in 1907) (1907): Esteemed Canadian actor and writer, known for dramatic roles and literary contributions.
• Alfred Jarry — Contemporary (Died in 1907) (1907): Pioneering French symbolist writer, known for Ubu Roi and coining 'pataphysics'
• Alberto Sordi — Contemporary (Died in 2003) (2003): Pillar of Italian Cinema, master of Commedia all'italiana comedy.
• Barry White — Contemporary (Died in 2003) (2003): Iconic R&B, Soul, and Disco Singer known for his powerful bass voice.
• Benny Carter — Contemporary (Died in 2003) (2003): Jazz composer, arranger, and saxophonist known for his long and influential career.
• A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada — Shared historical date (11-14 · Died) (1977): Pioneering global spread of Krishna consciousness teachings and the Hare Krishna mantra.
• Aaron Copland — Shared historical date (11-14 · Born) (1900): Pioneering American composer, conductor, and critic, known as the "Dean of American Music".
• Akio Morita — Shared historical date (10-03 · Died) (1999): Visionary Japanese entrepreneur and co-founder of Sony.
• Denis Healey — Shared historical date (10-03 · Died) (2015): Long-serving British Labour politician, notable for Defence Secretary and Chancellor roles.
• 1907 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1907
• November 14 (11-14) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on November 14
• 2003 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2003
• October 3 (10-03) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on October 3