Story time for adults

James Thurber

Keith Olbermann, host of Countdown, began reading James Thurber stories to his father Theodore when he was in the hospital. The elder Olbermann suggested that his son consider reading to his viewers and the “Fridays with Thurber” tradition was born.

I am familiar with Thurber because my mom really liked him.  Though I have always enjoyed his little sketches, his writing doesn’t really appeal to me.  However, I applaud Keith for continuing to read aloud once a week.  This kind of role modeling is important – and it is obvious that Keith is enjoying himself.

James Thurber was born in Ohio in 1894. His father was a clerk and minor politician. His mother was a practical joker and described by Thurber as “one of the finest comic talents I think I have ever known.”  His parents inspired many of the characters that appeared in his writings.  He had two brothers, William and Robert.

A childhood accident resulted in a severe eye injury, which prevented him from participating in sports and other activities. Thurber attended Ohio State University but could not graduate:  due to his injury, he wasn’t allowed to take the mandatory ROTC course.

He entered the newspaper business, working for the Columbus Dispatch, the Chicago Tribune, and the New York Evening Post. In 1927 he joined the staff of The New Yorker. His career as a cartoonist began in 1930. He would contribute both his writings and his drawings to The New Yorker until the 1950s.

He married twice.  Thurber had a daughter, Rosemary, with his first wife. He died in 1961 at the age of 66.

Thurber loved dogs and competed in dog shows with poodles. 

Two homes where Thurber lived are on the US National Register of Historic Places: the Thurber House in Ohio and the Sanford-Curtis-Thurber House in Connecticut.

An annual award, the Thurber Prize, established in 1997, honors outstanding examples of American humor.

A few notable quotes:

He who hesitates is sometimes saved.

I am not a cat man, but a dog man, and all felines can tell this at a glance – a sharp, vindictive glance.

I think that maybe if women and children were in charge we would get somewhere.