Norman Bridwell

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For the DC comics editor, see E. Nelson Bridwell.
Norman Bridwell
Bridwell in 2011
Bridwell in 2011
BornNorman Ray Bridwell[1]
(1928-02-15)February 15, 1928
Kokomo, Indiana, U.S.
DiedDecember 12, 2014(2014-12-12) (aged 86)
Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts, U.S.
OccupationWriter and illustrator
NationalityAmerican
GenreChildren's literature
Notable worksClifford the Big Red Dog
Spouse
Norma Howard Bridwell
​
​
(m. 1958; his death 2014)​
[2]
Children2

Norman Ray Bridwell (February 15, 1928 – December 12, 2014) was an American author and cartoonist best known for the Clifford the Big Red Dog book series.

Early life[]

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.

Career[]

Bridwell holding a copy of the first Clifford the Big Red Dog book in 2011

Bridwell put together a portfolio and attempted to get a job as a children's book illustrator but was rejected by around 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 that is in development.[9][10]

Bridwell's other successful books include The Witch Next Door and A Tiny Family. There are over 126 million copies of his books in print in 13 languages.[3]

Personal life[]

By 1962, Bridwell was married to his wife Norma Howard,[2] and they had a daughter Emily Elizabeth and a son named Tim. At the time of his death, they had three grandchildren.[11][12]

The Bridwells resided in Edgartown on Martha's Vineyard, from 1969 until his death.[11][13]

Death[]

Bridwell died on December 12, 2014, at the age of 86.[1] His funeral was held at the Federated Church on South Summer street in Edgartown.[14] He was cremated, and his ashes were given to his son, Tim.[15]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "Norman Ray Bridwell, beloved author of Clifford the Big Red Dog, dead at 86". Martha's Vineyard Times. December 16, 2014. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b Langer, Emily (December 17, 2014). "Norman Bridwell, writer and illustrator who created Clifford the Big Red Dog, dies at 86". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b "Norman Bridwell". Amazon.com.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b "Norman Bridwell - Never Give Up on Your Dreams". Howard County Memory Project. 2009.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e "Biography: Norman Bridwell". KidsReads. The Book Report Network. 2012.
  6. ^ "About Clifford". Parents & Teachers. PBS.
  7. ^ "Clifford The Big Red Dog". Shop PBS Kids. PBS. Archived from the original on 2012-01-02.
  8. ^ "Clifford The Big Red Dog Live Show". Scholastic. January 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-01-11. Retrieved 2011-12-25.
  9. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (June 30, 2016). "'Clifford The Big Red Dog' Movie Unleashed At Paramount With Scribe Justin Malen". Deadline. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  10. ^ "First Look at Live Action Adaptation of CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG". BroadwayWorld. January 5, 2020.
  11. ^ Jump up to: a b Fretts, Bruce (September 8, 2000). "Living A Dog's Life: Norman Bridwell". Entertainment Weekly.
  12. ^ Leopold, Todd (December 16, 2014). "Norman Bridwell, creator of 'Clifford the Big Red Dog,' dead at 86". CNN. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
  13. ^ Norman Bridwell, Creator of Clifford the Big Red Dog, Dies at 86 | The Vineyard Gazette - Martha's Vineyard News Retrieved 2017-05-07.
  14. ^ "Celebration of Life for Norman Bridwell". The Vineyard Gazette - Martha's Vineyard News. Retrieved Jul 13, 2019.
  15. ^ ""Making Spirits Rise"". Dec 23, 2014. Retrieved Jul 13, 2019.

External links[]

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