William Steig

William Steig, born in 1907 in Brooklyn, New York, was a versatile American artist whose career spanned cartooning, illustration, and writing. His parents were socialist immigrants from Eastern Europe, and his mother encouraged his artistic inclinations. Despite attending several institutions, he did not complete college. Steig began his professional life during the Great Depression, selling illustrations to magazines and becoming a significant contributor to The New Yorker, earning the nickname "King of Cartoons." He later transitioned to writing children's books in his sixties, achieving considerable success. His works include the Caldecott Medal-winning 'Sylvester and the Magic Pebble' and the picture book 'Shrek!', which inspired the hugely successful film franchise. Steig continued to write into his nineties and received numerous accolades, including nominations for the Hans Christian Andersen Awards. He passed away in 2003 at the age of 95.

Born in 1907 to Polish-Jewish immigrants in New York, William Steig showed early artistic promise, dabbling in painting and devouring literature. He also excelled in athletics, making the collegiate All-American water polo team. Though he briefly attended multiple art and design schools, including the National Academy of Design and Yale School of Art, he never finished a degree. The economic hardships of the Great Depression spurred Steig to begin selling his illustrations and cartoons to magazines to support his family. His career in illustration took off when his work first appeared in The New Yorker in 1930. He became a celebrated figure at the magazine, contributing over 2,600 drawings and 117 covers, and was famously dubbed the "King of Cartoons."

At the age of 61, William Steig embarked on a new chapter in his career, beginning to write children's books. His debut in this genre occurred in 1968. He quickly found acclaim, with his third book, 'Sylvester and the Magic Pebble,' published in 1969, earning him the prestigious Caldecott Medal. Steig went on to author more than 30 children's books, demonstrating a sustained talent for engaging young readers. His prolific output continued into his nineties. Among his most famous works is the 1990 picture book 'Shrek!', which later served as the foundation for the immensely popular animated film series.

William Steig's impact on literature and popular culture is significant. His picture book 'Shrek!' became the basis for a major animated film franchise, eventually making him the sole creator of a film property grossing over $1 billion. Steig himself had a unique perspective on the film adaptation, reportedly finding its vulgarity and disgusting nature enjoyable. His contributions were recognized internationally, with nominations for the Hans Christian Andersen Awards in both 1982 (illustrator) and 1988 (writer). The film adaptation of his book 'Doctor De Soto' was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 1984, the same year he received a CINE Golden Eagle Award for its educational adaptation.

“It's vulgar, it's disgusting — and I loved it.”