About Shel Silverstein
Born: 25-Sep-1930
Birthplace: Chicago, IL
Died: 10-May-1999
Location of death: Key West, FL
Cause of death: Heart Failure
Remains: Buried, Westlawn Cemetery, Chicago, IL
Gender: Male
Religion: Jewish
Race or Ethnicity: White
Sexual orientation: Straight
Occupation: Poet, Songwriter
Nationality: United States
Executive summary: Where the Sidewalk Ends
Birthplace: Chicago, IL
Died: 10-May-1999
Location of death: Key West, FL
Cause of death: Heart Failure
Remains: Buried, Westlawn Cemetery, Chicago, IL
Gender: Male
Religion: Jewish
Race or Ethnicity: White
Sexual orientation: Straight
Occupation: Poet, Songwriter
Nationality: United States
Executive summary: Where the Sidewalk Ends
Shel Silverstein's Bio-
Shel Silverstein's full name is Sheldon Allan Silverstein, but is known as Shel Silverstein. Born in Chicago, Illinois on September 25, 1930. His parents were Nathan and Helen Silverstein. He grew up in a lower class neighbor in the Logan Square area of Chicago. Shel Silverstein started his writing career very young.When he was 12, he would have much rather played ball with children, but he didn't have much athletic sport. He started writing at 12.He was not familiar with styles of poets, so he came up with his own, he was later, in his 30's exposed to other types of poetry and other styles. Shel graduated from Roosevelt High and attended the University of Illinois,but was kicked out of school after a year.He had majored in art. He then attended the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts for a year then studied English at Roosevelt University for three years until he was drafted into the army. He said he regretted going to college because he could have seen the world during that time. His technique is as a fourth grader. His simple unique technique is so easy for kids to understand, and they make great entertainment. He always adds some sense of humor to his poems.
Jobs
Shel Silverstein had many more jobs then just a poet growing up. He drew cartoons for the army in the 1950's which was published in the military newsletter called Stars and Stripes.After he got out of the army, he submitted cartoons for Playboy magazine. They appeared in many of the issues from 1956 to the late 1900s.He became a country and rock song writer. One of his greatest hits "A Boy Named Sue" won a Grammy award in 1969.Shel Silverstein did not plan on becoming a children's writer, but his friend Tom Ungerer persuaded him into writing children's books.