Elwyn Brooks White was born on July 11, 1899 in Mount Vernon, NY. He was a writer
for the New Yorker and a columnist for Harper's Magazine. He has written over twenty
books, including collaboration on editing and updating The Elements of Style, collections
of short stories, and children's books.
Charlotte's Web was published in 1952. It was illustrated by Garth Williams. It is a book
for children ages 9 to 12 years old, but has become a classic enjoyed by adults as well. It
tells the story of the pig, Wilber, who lives on a farm, and strikes up an unlikely friendship
with Charlotte, a spider. When Wilber is in danger of being trucked off to be slaughtered,
Charlotte writes messages in her spider web to praise Wilber so the farmer will let him live.
Charlotte's Web was a Newbery Honor book for 1953. The book has sold more than 45
million copies and been translated into 23 languages. Booklist said that the book tells the
story ". . . with delicacy, humor, and wisdom . . . a perfect blending of fantasy and
complete realism."