Gelett Burgess
Gelett Burgess was an American humorist and illustrator, born on January 30, 1866, in Boston. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1887 and later taught topographical drawing at the University of California, Berkeley. Burgess became known for his contributions to the San Francisco periodical *The Lark*, where he published his famous poem "The Purple Cow" in 1895. After moving to New York following his editorial work, he focused on writing books, creating whimsical characters known as the Goops. His notable works include *Goops and How to Be Them* (1900) and *The Burgess Nonsense Book* (1901). In addition to his literary accomplishments, Burgess was involved in community service, founding the San Francisco Boys Club, the first of its kind in the United States. He married Estelle Loomis in 1914 and lived in Paris during World War I, ultimately passing away in Carmel, California, on September 18, 1951. Burgess's legacy remains influential in children's literature and humorous poetry.
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Subject Terms
Gelett Burgess
Artist
- Born: January 30, 1866
- Birthplace: Boston, Massachusetts
- Died: September 18, 1951
- Place of death: Carmel, California
Biography
Gelett Burgess, humorist and illustrator, was born in Boston on January 30, 1866. He studied engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and graduated with a B.S. in 1887. He taught topographical drawing at the University of California at Berkeley from 1891 to 1894. He was an editor and contributor to the San Francisco periodical The Lark, which specialized in humorous poetry. “The Purple Cow,” the poem for which he is best known, was first published in The Lark in 1895. His stint at The Lark ended in 1897, and after this time he moved to New York and concentrated on writing books. He created a collection of characters known as the Goops, who were bizarre, eccentric, childlike creatures. He wrote Goops and How to Be Them (1900), The Burgess Nonsense Book (1901), The Rubaiyat of Omar Cayenne (1904), and Are You a Bromide? (1906). During these prolific years, he wrote and illustrated numerous children’s books and contributed essays and stories to magazines such as Life, Truth, and St. Nicholas. Burgess married Estelle Loomis in 1914. He lived in Paris during World War I. In addition to his creative pursuits, he founded the San Francisco Boys Club, the first such organization in the United States. He died in Carmel, California, on September 18, 1951.
