Sheldon Allan “Shel” Silverstein was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 25, 1930 to Nathan and Helen Silverstein. He was an American poet, singer-songwriter, cartoonist, screenwriter, and author of children’s books. His work has been translated into more than 30 languages and his books have sold over 20 million copies.
Shel Silverstein graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1948. He started writing when he was twelve years old. He started at such a young age because he had no athletic ability and girls showed no interest in him, therefore he began to write. Following his artistic aspirations, he went to study at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts (presently known as Art Institute of Chicago) then later to Roosevelt University. However, he soon dropped out from the course and joined the Army in September 1953, where he served at several American military bases, including Japan and Korea. During his time in the military, Shel Silverstein worked as a cartoonist for “Pacific Stars and Stripes,” a Pacific-based U.S. military publication. After completing his military duty, he was hired as a staff cartoonist for “Playboy” in 1956. In 1963, at suggestion of fellow illustrator Tomi Ungerer, he was introduced to Ursula Nordstrom who convinced him to begin writing for children. One of Shel Silverstein’s most popular books, “The Giving Tree” was published in 1964. In 1974, Shel Silverstein wrote “Where the Sidewalk Ends” which won the New York Times Outstanding Book Award, Michigan Young Readers Award and the George G. Stone Award. Published in 1981 “A Light In the Attic”: a collection of poems and drawings, won Best Books, School Library Journal, Buckeye Awards, George G. Stone Award and the William Allen White Award. Silverstein’s most recent book “Falling Up”, appeared in bookstores in 1996 is a collection of poems and drawings. Later in 1960 Shel Silverstein became a respected composer. He wrote lyrics for and composed “A Boy Named Sue” in 1969, which became a number one hit for Johnny Cash. He appeared in and composed music for the film “Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Such Terrible Things About Me?” which opened in 1971. In 1980, Shel Silverstein released a country music album: “The Great Conch Train Robbery”. Shel Silverstein also co-wrote the soundtrack for the 1990 film “Postcards From the Edge”, which was nominated for an Academy Award for best song in 1991, and for a Golden Globe. Shel Silverstein began writing plays in 1981. One of his most popular scripts is “The Lady or the Tiger Show”. He collaborated with David Mamet on the screenplay for the 1988 Colubmia Pictures film “Things Change”. He also wrote the drama “The Devil and Billy Markham”, which was produced in New York at Lincoln Center 1989. Shel Silverstein was married to Susan Hastings, and had a daughter named Shoshanna, who was born on June 30, 1970. Sadly however, five years later, Susan Hastings passed away on June 29, 1975 in Baltimore, Maryland. At the age of eleven Shoshanna also died in Baltimore on April 24, 1982 due to cerebral aneurysm. Silverstein never married again, though had a son named Matthew who was born in 1983 with a woman named Sarah Spencer. Shel Silverstein passed away on May 10, 1999 from a heart attack in Key West, Florida. |
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