James Thurber
Born 1894 · Age 131
American cartoonist, writer, humorist, journalist, and playwright best known for his New Yorker cartoons and short stories (e.g., "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty", "The Catbird Seat").
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Life & Career Timeline
Birth in Columbus, Ohio
James Grover Thurber born to Charles L. Thurber and Mary Agnes "Mame" (Fisher) Thurber in Columbus, Ohio.
Eye injury (William Tell game) causing blindness in left eye
At about age seven Thurber was accidentally shot in the left eye by his brother during a bow-and-arrow game, leading to permanent loss of that eye and progressive vision problems later.
Attended Sullivant Elementary School
Early schooling in Columbus (Sullivant Elementary).
Attended Douglas Junior High School
Continued education in Columbus; early writing noted (Class Prophecy).
Graduated East High School
Graduated East High School in Columbus (class president his senior year).
Matriculation at Ohio State University
Enrolled at Ohio State University (1913–1918), wrote for The Lantern and edited The Sundial humor magazine; joined Phi Kappa Psi fraternity.
Left Ohio State University (no degree)
Left OSU without completing a degree because poor eyesight prevented him from taking mandatory ROTC; later awarded a posthumous degree in 1995.
Code clerk, U.S. Department of State
Worked as a code clerk 1918–1920, first in Washington, D.C., then at the American embassy in Paris.
Reporter at The Columbus Dispatch
Returned to Columbus and worked as a reporter for The Columbus Dispatch (c.1920–1924), wrote column 'Credos and Curios'.
Married Althea Adams
Married Althea Adams (marriage described later as 'charming, fine, and hurting'); later had one daughter, Rosemary (b.1931).
Resigned from The Columbus Dispatch to freelance
Left Dispatch to attempt freelance writing (period of freelancing and travel to Paris follows).
Moved to Paris; Chicago Tribune correspondent
Worked for the Chicago Tribune in Paris (and Riviera edition) during mid-1920s.
Moved to New York City
Moved to New York (Greenwich Village) and began work as reporter/feature writer for the New York Evening Post (sources vary 1925–1926).
Joined The New Yorker staff
E. B. White introduced Thurber to Harold Ross; Thurber joined The New Yorker as editor/writer and contributor (began long association).
Publication: The Owl in the Attic and Other Perplexities
Collection of humorous pieces and cartoons (bibliography entry).
First book published: Is Sex Necessary? (with E. B. White)
Co-authored the spoof Is Sex Necessary? featuring Thurber cartoons; early book publication helped establish reputation.
Began career as cartoonist
E. B. White found Thurber's drawings and submitted them; Thurber's career as a cartoonist took off (circa 1930–1931).
Birth of daughter Rosemary Thurber
Thurber and Althea's daughter Rosemary born in 1931.
Publication: The Seal in the Bedroom and Other Predicaments
Book publication (1932) of assorted pieces and cartoons.
Publication: My Life and Hard Times (breakout book)
Collected autobiographical comic sketches including 'The Night the Bed Fell' and 'The Dog That Bit People'—considered his breakout book.
Publication: The Middle-Aged Man on the Flying Trapeze
Book collecting short stories and essays (published 1935), containing pieces with marital themes.
Left The New Yorker staff (became freelancer)
Officially left staff position at The New Yorker (sources vary on exact year; ThurberHouse cites 1935). Continued to contribute for decades.
Divorce from Althea Adams
Divorced first wife Althea Adams (May 1935); she retained Sanford–Curtis–Thurber House.
Married Helen Muriel Wismer
Married his editor Helen Wismer (June 1935); she later acted as his editor/business manager and caretaker.
Moved to Connecticut
Thurber and Helen moved to Connecticut (later settled in Cornwall; 'The Great Good Place' house).
Publication: The Last Flower
Published the satirical/anti-war picture-book The Last Flower (1939).
Co-wrote play 'The Male Animal' (Broadway hit)
Co-wrote The Male Animal with Elliott Nugent; major Broadway success (1939–1940 season; cited 243 performances).
Publication: Fables for Our Time
Published collection of fables (anthropomorphic animals with morals), one of his signature works.
Film adaptation: The Male Animal (1942)
The Male Animal adapted into a 1942 film starring Henry Fonda and Olivia de Havilland; extended Thurber's reach into Hollywood.
Publication: Many Moons (children's book)
Published Many Moons (1943) — noted children's book; received Caldecott Honor in 1944 (listed in awards).
Publication: My World — And Welcome to It
Published My World—And Welcome To It (collection including pieces appearing in The New Yorker).
Publication: The White Deer (children's/fantasy)
Published The White Deer (1945), a book-length fairy tale.
Publication: The Thurber Carnival (anthology)
Published The Thurber Carnival (anthology of writings and cartoons); later adapted into a stage revue.
Film adaptation: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947)
Danny Kaye starred in the 1947 film adaptation of Thurber's short story 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty'.
Honorary Doctorates from Kenyon and Williams Colleges
Received first honorary doctorate degrees (Doctor of Letters) — Kenyon College and Williams College (c. 1950).
Publication: The 13 Clocks (children's fantasy)
Published The 13 Clocks (1950), one of his enduring children's fairy tales, illustrated by Marc Simont.
Declined honorary degree from Ohio State University
Declined an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from his alma mater in protest over academic-freedom issues (1951).
Time magazine cover (self-portrait drawing)
Last drawing Thurber completed (self-portrait in yellow crayon on black paper) was featured on the cover of Time magazine on July 9, 1951.
Publication: The Thurber Album
Published The Thurber Album (1952) — collection of works, used the Time cover drawing for the dust jacket in some editions.
UPA adaptation: The Unicorn in the Garden (1953)
United Productions of America's (UPA) cartoon The Unicorn in the Garden (1953) — the only released part of an announced animated feature based on Thurber's work.
Honorary doctorate from Yale; Ohioana Sesquicentennial Medal
Received an honorary Doctor of Letters from Yale University and Ohioana Sesquicentennial Medal (1953).
Publication: Further Fables for Our Time
Published Further Fables for Our Time (1956) — additional satirical fables.
T-Square Award (American Cartoonists Society)
Received the T-Square Award from the American Cartoonists Society (listed among honors).
Publication: Alarms and Diversions & The Wonderful O (1957)
Published Alarms and Diversions (anthology) and children's fantasy The Wonderful O (1957).
Publication: The Wonderful O; Library and Justice Award
Published children's novel The Wonderful O (1957). Also received Library and Justice Award from the American Library Association for Further Fables for Our Time (1957).
Publication: Lanterns and Lances; The Years with Ross (1959)
Published Lanterns and Lances and The Years with Ross, a memoir about Harold Ross and The New Yorker.
Film adaptation: The Battle of the Sexes (based on 'The Catbird Seat')
The 1959 film The Battle of the Sexes was based on Thurber’s short story 'The Catbird Seat' (original story 1942).
Publication: The Years with Ross
Published The Years with Ross (1959), an account of New Yorker founder/editor Harold Ross and the magazine's early years.
Stage: A Thurber Carnival (performed on Broadway)
A Thurber Carnival, a revue based on Thurber's writings and drawings, opened; Thurber played himself in 88 performances (he appeared in the sketch 'File and Forget').
Special Tony Award for A Thurber Carnival (adapted script)
Received a Special Tony Award for the adapted script of A Thurber Carnival (1960).
Struck by blood clot on the brain (stroke)
Suffered a blood clot on the brain (October 4, 1961); underwent emergency surgery and drifted in and out of consciousness.
Death in New York City
Died November 2, 1961 in New York City due to complications from pneumonia after brain surgery; ashes interred at Green Lawn Cemetery, Columbus, Ohio.
Posthumous publications: Thurber & Company and Credos and Curios
Collections of Thurber's writings compiled/posthumously edited by Helen W. Thurber and others released after his death.
Posthumous publication: Credos and Curios
Posthumous collection Credos and Curios (edited by Helen W. Thurber) published in 1962.
Television: My World...and Welcome to It (NBC series based on Thurber)
TV series loosely based on Thurber's writings and life aired 1969–70 starring William Windom; later won Emmy Awards (1970 Best Comedy Series; Windom Best Actor).
Emmy Awards for My World...and Welcome to It
The NBC series (1969–70) won the 1970 Emmy for Best Comedy Series; William Windom won Best Actor.
Film: The War Between Men and Women (1972) uses Thurber material
1972 film starring Jack Lemmon concludes with an animated version of Thurber's 'The Last Flower' and draws from Thurber's work.
Ballet after Thurber idea: The Last Flower (1975)
A ballet inspired by Thurber's 'The Last Flower' produced in 1975 (listed in external links/resources).
Thurber House opens as literary center and museum
77 Jefferson Avenue (rented by Thurber during college) became Thurber House in Columbus, Ohio — opened as a literary arts center and museum (1984).
USPS commemorative stamp issued
James Thurber featured on a U.S. Postal Service commemorative stamp (1994), roughly centennial of his birth.
Posthumous honorary degree from Ohio State University
Ohio State University awarded Thurber a posthumous degree in 1995 (daughter Rosemary accepted).
Establishment of the Thurber Prize for American Humor
Annual Thurber Prize created to honor outstanding examples of American humor (established 1997).
New film adaptation: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
Ben Stiller starred in and directed a 2013 film adaptation of Thurber's 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty'.
Major archival collection at Ohio State University highlighted
Ohio State University's Rare Books and Manuscripts Library hosts the largest James Thurber collection, including manuscripts, drawings, and original attic walls (removed 1976, accession ongoing).
125th birthday and Thurber House 35th anniversary celebrations
Thurber House commemorated James Thurber's 125th birthday and the 35th anniversary of the founding of Thurber House (2019 celebrations).
Statue of Muggs installed at family plot
Statue of Muggs, 'The Dog That Bit People', installed at Thurber family gravesite in Columbus's Green Lawn Cemetery (unveiling attended by family).
Key Achievement Ages
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