In addition to this massive commercial workload, Gorey began writing and illustrating his own works (which would eventually number 116) starting with his 1953 book, The Unstrung Harp. There is no firm count as to the number of books Gorey illustrated for others, but likely well over five hundred. Gorey moved through other publishing Houses (Looking Glass Library, Bobs-Merrill) before finally turning freelance in the early 1960s-a position he maintained for the rest of his life.

Gorey rapidly became a significant figure in the New York design world, designing more than fifty covers and, more importantly, becoming recognized as a major commercial illustrator.

In 1953 he was offered a position with Doubleday's new imprint Doubleday Anchor in New York City (Gorey had attended Harvard with Barbara Epstein, the wife of Doubleday Anchor publisher Jason Epstein). He occasionally achieved the Dean’s List (and frequently was threatened with expulsion). In 1946 he enrolled at Harvard (majoring in French Literature) and began pursuing numerous artistic interests, publishing stories, poems, designing sets, directing and writing for the influential Poets Theatre (with John Ashbery, Frank O’Hara, Alison Lurie, Violet Lang, and others). He served during World War II from 1943 until after the end of the war-primarily at the Dugway Proving Grounds in Utah. After graduation from Francis Parker, with pending draft notices at the age of 17, Gorey enrolled for some art courses at the Art Institute of Chicago before entering the U.S. At graduation, Edward had the highest regional scores on college boards and received scholarships to Harvard and Yale and other academic institutions. He emerged from Francis Parker an exceptional student, active in school events, exhibits, school publications, and even getting drawings published in Chicago newspapers.

Edward skipped several grades, eventually ending up at the Francis Parker School in the ninth grade. Edward’s upbringing was chaotic with his parents constantly moving within Chicago. The House became a museum in 2002.Įdward was a child prodigy, drawing pictures at 18 months, and teaching himself to read by age three. JOHN GOREY, who owned the House from 1979 till his death in 2000. The Edward Gorey House is the former dwelling of author and artist EDWARD ST.

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