E.B. White: A Biography by Scott Elledge

by Scott Elledge

Here is a richly detailed and vivid biography of the man who wrote 'Charlotte's Web', 'The Trumpet of the Swan', and 'Stuart Little'; the writer whose style and humor were so important in distinguishing 'The New Yorker's' first thirty years. Included are some photographs and drawings, as well as manuscript facsimiles.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir

Paperback

Published January 1, 1832

About the author

Goldwin Smith Professor of English Literature

Reviews

[Diane Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent biography for fans of White's writing. Focusing mainly on his childhood, his marriage to Katherine White, and his writing, it is also a mini biography of The New Yorker, since he was there from the inception and maintained his ties with the magazine til he died.

[Victoria Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this may be the best book I've ever read in my entire life! And I've read a lot! In 1968, the author, Scott Elledge, wrote a letter to E.B. White expressing his desire to write a biography and requesting "...permission to examine the collection of private papers he had recently given to the Cornell University Library...." E.B. (who went by Andy) agreed to meet with him, and lent his assistance to the biography without any interference. He made a few corrections, but generally stayed out of being personally involved. This book is clearly such a labor of love and respect; truly, it was like getting to know Andy White personally. This is the only book in my life that I was so reluctant for it to end, I actually read it all the way through, including the index. Fortunately, E.B. White left quite a few books of his own writing, so I am able to keep on reading. This biography is so well enriched with much of White's own writing, expressive of his struggles and triumphs as a writer, and, of course, life at The New Yorker. You know a book is great when, after you've finished, you feel as though you've made a new friend. I feel as though I've made at least two: the author and the subject. If you cherish beautiful writing, you will love this book!

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend recommended this book to me, after learning of my affection for E.B. White's children's fiction. Indeed, "Charlotte's Web," "Stuart Little" and "Trumpet of the Swan" are forever a part of me. I also read "Elements of Style" in English 101 in college, and recently bought a copy with vivid illustrations by Maira Kalman. What I didn't know about E.B. White is that he and his wife had long careers writing and editing for the New Yorker magazine. Interestingly enough, in the introduction, Elledge tells of White's reaction to reading the book before it was published. He made a few minor corrections; other than that his main comment was that the book was too long. I must agree. There are too many quotations from letters and editorials; many seem relevant, but a few seem tedious and break up the narration too much. Two unexpected delights: the poetry interspersed throughout, and the tender tale of true love, companionship and intellectual respect between "Andy" and his wife Katharine.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this so close to having read Weir's Mistress of the Monarchy illustrates the differences between Biography Then and Biography Now; Then is far less novelistic than Now. That's not a bad thing, necessarily, jut an observation.

White's life is definitely that of a previous age, when not going to college with a Plan was acceptable. His upbringing is rooted in the 19th century (although I'm not sure that being born in 1899 qualifies one in quite that way) and it's that emotionally stiffer time that he seems most comfortable. His treatment of the women in his life, including his wife, is described as not being overwhelmingly emotional (the letters and misunderstandings between him and Alice, for example). Yet in his writing he clearly can strike an emotional chord with readers. On the other hand, it could be that in this style of biography the emotional side is far less interesting (hah!) than the factual side. His hypochondria is given a semi-tolerant gloss, without divulging terribly much about what seem to have been some very real physical and psychological issues.

As I read this book I was wondering why there was no mention of one of my favorite children's books, Mistress Mashem's Repose Silly me - it was written by the other initialed White, T.H.! This White, E.B., wrote poems, letters, essays, editorials and books that have interested readers of all ages (although Stuart Little did not win the approval of the Head Children's Librarian at NYPL). It just may be time to read some, starting with a re-read of Charlotte's Web

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tobias Wolff once said that most writers’ lives made poor biographies: sitting at a desk for two-thirds of any given day simply doesn’t provide the requisite fuel.

Balls.

EB White was a happy, resolutely ordinary man who did little but try and turn out the best work he could for more than three decades. This biography keeps everything at the human scale and is all the better for it.

Car chases? *Ptui. The changes White made to Will Strunk’s text for The Elements of Style are more than enough, as is the insightful appendix about how White crafted a paragraph about the moon landing for the New Yorker.

[Craig Adamson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. Recently bought "Charlotte's Web" for my 5 year old daughter. Then found this biography at the used book store. Since I didn't know much about Elwyn Brooks "EB" White as a person, I decided to buy it and read it.

I had really no knowledge of EB White's background. Where he grew up, where he went to school, and where he worked. He and his wife, Katharine basically brought the The New Yorker into the forefront of the nation's reading list. Also didn't know he was buddies with James Thurber.

He's kind of a pitiful figure. Very sickly and nervous. Which seems to impact nearly every single decision he ever made in his life. He basically became a great writer, thought leader, and rich/famous auther despite his own best efforts and negative thinking. That might have been the most amazing thing that I learned in this book.

A very good biography of a very private man who didn't actively seek the limelight or take advantage of the many stages he could have spoke on publicly to receive his numerous awards, honorary degrees, etc.

The main reason I give it "three stars" is that the story is somewhat depressing to read and unless I was enthralled with his poetry or other stories, I have no doubt I'd ever re-read this biography even despite its easy flow and accessibility. But it does give me some background as I read Stuart Little, Trumpet of the Swan, and Charlotte's Web to my kids.

[Chris Gager · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started last night... pretty easy to take so far. Elwyn so far leading a fairly privileged if somewhat lonely childhood.

- some doggie neglect - a sensitive issue for me.

- reading of EBW's interest in biology caused me to have a memory flashback to a Jr. High biology project I did... 54 years ago and never a thought about it until last night - weird!

- Who was/is Phyllis Goodwin? His wife?

- 'Bout halfway through as Andy White has bought his Maine farm but not moved to it(and his literary career change) yet. Soon...

- Movin' slow as White has semi-quit The New Yorker and semi-moved to Maine.

This book is full of excerpts of White's superb writing plus lots of good stuff from others. I'm bumping it up to a 5*

Since I'm writing so many questions and trying to get other stuff done I'm only reading a chapter at a time. Maybe more tonight. It's worth going slow as there's a lot to read(obviously!).

Sticking with the chapter at a time approach. He's just finished and succeeded with "Stuart Little"...

"Charlotte's Web" is a big success, especially over time - millions sold etc. and the Whites are now permanently ensconced in Maine - YEA!

And now finished with this excellent book. Could've been longer! Andy White was still alive when it was published but has since passed away. Great, great writer... 4.75* rounds up to 5*

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

E.B. White has always been my main squeeze essayist. After reading this book, I am convinced that he may be among the top 5 or so writers EVER to have lived. He was incredible. How I wished I'd written him a letter before he died in 1985. I particularly enjoyed the story of the early beginnings of the New Yorker magazine, his love letters, his post-college trekkings around the West, the births of his books, and even his hypochondria. I didn't know (but should have) that like many great artists he suffered depression. I am going to speed re-read this to mark and record some of his incredible passages and poems. This book absolutely fed my soul. AND I need to reread Walden--the only book E.B. White said he really owned. Next stop: his wife Katharine's book of letters back and forth with a fellow gardener. I picked it up several years ago when we were staying in a fishing village in Maine just a stone's throw from the White farm. Need to go back there!!

[Lawrence Coffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of one of America's most graceful writers as told by a man who clearly studied (and almost manages to replicate here) his prose style. Moving tale of a man who turned his fears (White suffered most of his life from chronic anxiety) into timeless beauty for the rest of us to enjoy.

[Chazzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up as I was curious about the writer of “Stuart Little,” “Charlotte’s Web” and “Strunk & White.” It took me quite a while to get through due to the thoroughness of the book.

Starting at childhood and working on, I followed the life of E.B. White. He was brought up by a conservative family, but his creativity was encouraged. He also developed a love of Nature that was a part of his life and influenced his activities and writing.

There are frequent inserts of text from White’s personal papers. The author had access to the collection White had given to Cornell University, and personal contact with White. This makes the book quite detailed and not a fast read. There are also photos illustrating various scenes over the years. Images that add to the text.

Being deep and detailed, it is not to be rushed through. I found that reading it in short bits gave me time to think about what I had read and how life was during White’s lifetime. For someone seriously interested in the life of E.B. White, this is a good read.

[Christian Lingner · Rating 4 out of 5]

While not as helpful as I hoped in providing an account of White's intellectual formation, this sturdy account lets us in on aspects of White's character that couldn't be accessed through his writings alone. In some ways, the neglect of the intellectual formation may be appropriate here. White was an individualist and a stylist and a hypochondriac. Credit is given to Thoreau for his philosophy, and to the humorist paragraphers (and especially Perelman and Marquis) for his style. After reading the biography, it's still not clear where he picked up the nervous disorder.

[Janice Baxstrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first I was reading this biography only when I was in Maine in the summer, which seemed appropriate. But really, I just needed to finish it, delightful chapter by delightful chapter. As much as I enjoyed E. B. White's essays and columns, I enjoyed how Mr. Elledge presented White's personal and professional life.

[Tamara Willems · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything about this detailed biography by Scott Elledge is to be admired, not the least of which its subject the much loved writer E.B. White, who proves to be just as wonderful a man as one would expect.

[Tom Woodbery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Endearing and enjoyable, about one of America's greatest modern writers.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can't help but love White if you love his books. After reading the biography he's everything you believed him to be. A great read.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read White's children's books with delight, especially favoring "Charlotte's Web," and Strunk and White's "little book," "The Elements of Style," is a cherished and much-used book on my reference shelf. I knew about White's literary career, but not in much detail; now I want to read White's essays. What a gift that White was alive for Elledge to consult and interview! This is a comfortable book which explores White's own view of himself and the world around him. Elledge writes in a style that reflects White himself wonderfully. Now I want to read more of Elledge's work.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fine biography of White, with one annoying flaw: Elledge tends to quote, at great length, letters and writings, where excerpts would have been the better choice. That complaint out the way, it was interesting to note that White, whose writing is close to perfection, was not a perfect human being. He could be self-centered, overly stubborn and prickly. In general, this feels like a well-rounded portrait of one of our best and most important (and too often overlooked) writers.

[Sandylew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must for any who like biographies and words. It brought back the joy of journalistic editing, choosing words with care and the idea of mysterious words to be looked up in the dictionary.Also an insightful peek in to this man's life as a writer and the history of our times as they rolled past his typewriter.

[R.J. Gilmour · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last book is Scott Elledge's biography of E.B. White: A Biography (New York: Norton, 1984). Spurred by the discussion of White's editorialist I was curious about the author. I grew up with his Trumpet of the Swan and Charlotte's Web but knew little about him and his fascinating wife and how involved they were in the liberal literary world in the 1950s and 1960s.

[Penn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this after his essays.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to learn about an author whose work has left a place on so manys childrens hearts.

[John Poat]

My first biography about E>B>White. Very easy to read but constant quotations from author's writing a little tiresome after awhile. Written just before E>B>White passed away in 1985 so biographer had access to White at times.