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Norman Bridwell

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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
GenreChildren's literature
Notable worksClifford the Big Red Dog
Spouse
Norma Howard
​
(m. 1958⁠–⁠2014)​
[2]
ChildrenTim Bridwell and Emily Bridwell

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.

Early life and education

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Bridwell was born on February 15, 1928,[3] in Kokomo, Indiana, to Leona and Vern Bridwell (a homemaker and factory worker, respectively).[4] Growing up, Bridwell was known to draw frequently, however, he never really thought of himself as being any good.[5] When he attended Kokomo High School in the 1940s he believed that there were always students better than him in his art and writing classes.[6] Nevertheless, after graduating high school in 1945,[4] Bridwell went on to pursue art at the John Herron School of Art[6] at Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis, and Cooper Union,[6] in New York City.

Career

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

Bridwell began his artistic career as a freelance commercial artist in New York, however, he still found himself struggling to pay the bills and support his wife and young daughter. In order to make some extra money, Bridwell organized a portfolio in 1962 and attempted to get a job as a children's book illustrator, but he was rejected by approximately fifteen publishing houses.[6] 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.[6] That book spawned over 40 best-selling Clifford books,[6] three animated television series,[7] merchandise,[8] a live musical,[9] and a live-action film.[10][11] 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]

Personal life

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In 1958, Bridwell was married to his wife Norma Ellen Howard after having courted her for three years.[2] They were originally introduced to each other by a mutual colleague who thought they would be perfect for each other after observing their many similarities: they were both commercial artists, they were both from Indiana, and their names were so similar.[12] The newlyweds honeymooned at Martha's Vineyard. Norma and Norman Bridwell had a daughter they named Emily Elizabeth Merz and a son named Tim. At the time of his death, they had three grandchildren.[13][14]

The Bridwells resided in Edgartown, Massachusetts on Martha's Vineyard, from 1969 until his death.[13][15]

Death

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Bridwell died at Martha's Vinyard Hospital 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.[16][1] His funeral was held at the Federated Church on South Summer street in Edgartown.[17] He was cremated, and his ashes were given to his son, Tim.[18]

References

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  1. ^ 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. ^ 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. ^ a b "Norman Bridwell". Amazon.com.
  4. ^ a b "Norman Bridwell - Never Give Up on Your Dreams". Howard County Memory Project. 2009. Archived from the original on 2017-09-23. Retrieved 2011-12-25.
  5. ^ Sullivan, Gail (2014-12-17). "The success story of a refreshingly ordinary man: Norman Birdwell, creator of 'Clifford,' dead at 86". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "Biography: Norman Bridwell". KidsReads. The Book Report Network. 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-01-06. Retrieved 2011-12-25.
  7. ^ "About Clifford". Parents & Teachers. PBS.
  8. ^ "Clifford The Big Red Dog". Shop PBS Kids. PBS. Archived from the original on 2012-01-02.
  9. ^ "Clifford The Big Red Dog Live Show". Scholastic. January 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-01-11. Retrieved 2011-12-25.
  10. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (June 30, 2016). "'Clifford The Big Red Dog' Movie Unleashed At Paramount With Scribe Justin Malen". Deadline. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  11. ^ "First Look at Live Action Adaptation of CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG". BroadwayWorld. January 5, 2020.
  12. ^ Lovewell, Mark Alan (2008-06-09). "Married (50 Years!) With Children and a Big Red Dog Named Clifford". The Vineyard Gazette - Martha's Vineyard News. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  13. ^ a b Fretts, Bruce (September 8, 2000). "Living A Dog's Life: Norman Bridwell". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on December 17, 2014. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  14. ^ Leopold, Todd (December 16, 2014). "Norman Bridwell, creator of 'Clifford the Big Red Dog,' dead at 86". CNN. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
  15. ^ Norman Bridwell, Creator of Clifford the Big Red Dog, Dies at 86 | The Vineyard Gazette - Martha's Vineyard News Retrieved 2017-05-07.
  16. ^ Doe, John (December 17, 2014). "My Favorite Things, Part II". New York Times. Retrieved March 10, 2023. Mr. Bridwell's wife of 56 years, Norma, told The Associated Press that he had prostate cancer and that he had been in the hospital for three weeks after a fall at his Martha's Vineyard home in Edgartown.
  17. ^ "Celebration of Life for Norman Bridwell". The Vineyard Gazette - Martha's Vineyard News. Retrieved Jul 13, 2019.
  18. ^ ""Making Spirits Rise"". Dec 23, 2014. Retrieved Jul 13, 2019.
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