What Was Dr. Seuss Doing During World War II?

Theodor Seuss Geisel was born in 1904 and by the time America entered World War II, he was already becoming known as a cartoonist. He graduated from college at Dartmouth in the Class of 1925 and had become an advertising illustrator in New York City. To some, even then, he was already known by the name we recognize today: Dr. Seuss.

Because of the continuing popularity of his children’s books, his political cartoons have remained largely unknown. In fact, we do not think of Dr. Seuss as a political cartoonist. But for two years, 1941-1943, he was the chief editorial cartoonist for a New York newspaper for which he drew more than 400 editorial cartoons.

If you have the opportunity to visit the Wisdom Harbour Studios, you can inspect several of the “originals” that were clipped neatly from 1942 newspapers and framed as part of our Forgotten History exhibit.

The following cartoons have been scanned from the original editions for your learning enjoyment. Here’s what to know before you look… 

Political cartoons in the 1940’s were not so different from those of today. They were used to criticize, condemn, encourage, warn, and inform. In short, they were–and are–produced to make us think. And just like modern political cartoons, the ones produced by Dr. Seuss are quite obvious in their intent.

American patriotism was high in 1942, but still there were naysayers to our war effort. Fighting two enemies as powerful as Germany and Japan at the same time was not easy and Dr. Seuss used his mighty platform to criticize both.

Drawing in his now familiar style, the cartoonist pointed out the volume of lies being told by our enemies, the importance of NOT wasting time, and the urgency the American people had to go “all in” on the war effort.

In one, he criticizes Ireland’s initial reluctance to join forces with the Allies. In another, Dr. Seuss illustrates the danger of “red tape.” He urges Americans to buy War Bonds and creates an advertisement from the War Department seeking men ages 18-26 for pilot training. He even makes fun of a baby Hitler assuming his milk came from a Jewish cow because of its name: Holstein. 

He reminded America about the importance of “blackouts” by illustrating how German U-Boats were targeting our ships against well lit city backgrounds. And in an effort that continued throughout his political cartooning career, Dr. Seuss provided examples of why our frugality was important…even–and perhaps especially–with gasoline.

Enjoy the discussions these cartoons will generate. Put yourself in his place and time. Would you have “said” it differently than Dr. Seuss?