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American author and cartoonist From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Norman Ray Bridwell (February 15, 1928 – December 12, 2014) was an American author and cartoonist best known for creating the Clifford the Big Red Dog book series.
Norman Bridwell | |
---|---|
Born | Norman Ray Bridwell[1] February 15, 1928 Kokomo, Indiana, U.S. |
Died | December 12, 2014 86) (aged Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts, U.S. |
Occupation | Writer and illustrator |
Genre | Children's literature |
Notable works | Clifford the Big Red Dog |
Spouse |
Norma Howard (m. 1958–2014) |
Children | 2 |
Bridwell was born on February 15, 1928,[3] in Kokomo, Indiana, to Leona and Vern Bridwell.[4] He graduated from Kokomo High School in 1945,[4] and went on to attend John Herron School of Art[5] at Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis, and Cooper Union,[5] in New York City.
Bridwell put together a portfolio and attempted to get a job as a children's book illustrator but was rejected by approximately fifteen publishing houses.[5] While at Harper & Row, an editor offhandedly suggested he turn one of his drawings into a story. The drawing was of a young girl and a horse-sized bloodhound, and the story became Clifford the Big Red Dog.[5] That book spawned over 40 best-selling Clifford books,[5] three animated television series,[6] merchandise,[7] a live musical,[8] and a live-action film.[9][10] Clifford serves as the official mascot of Scholastic, the publisher of the series.
Bridwell's other successful books include The Witch Next Door, How to Care for Your Monster, and A Tiny Family. There are over 126 million copies of his books in print in 13 languages.[3]
In 1958, Bridwell was married to his wife Norma Ellen Howard.[2] They had a daughter Emily Elizabeth Merz and a son named Tim. At the time of his death, they had three grandchildren.[11][12]
The Bridwells resided in Edgartown, Massachusetts on Martha's Vineyard, from 1969 until his death.[11][13]
Bridwell died on December 12, 2014, at the age of 86 from prostate cancer; Norman's wife, Norma stated he had been in the hospital for three weeks before his death after a fall at his home.[14][1] His funeral was held at the Federated Church on South Summer street in Edgartown.[15] He was cremated, and his ashes were given to his son, Tim.[16]