August 2, 1900

Holling C. Holling (August 2, 1900 to September 7, 1973), is remembered for the knowledge that was revealed in his children's books, and illustrations. We used multiple sources in the next biographical paragraphs:

Born in Jackson County, Michigan,....Holling grew up reading nature books brought home by his father, a principal and school superintendent. He became interested in animals, camping, and Indians at an early age.

Holling Clancy Holling graduated from the Art Institute of Chicago in 1923. He then worked in a taxidermy department of the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago and spent time working in anthropology under Dr. Ralph Linton.  It was in the taxidermy department, that he met his wife, Lucille Webster. Holling, within a year of their marriage, accepted a position as art instructor on the first University World Cruise, sponsored by New York University. For many years, Holling C. Holling dedicated his time and interest to making books for children. Much of the material he used was known to him first hand, and his wife, Lucille, worked with him on many of the illustrations. His work demonstrated his love of art and nature.

There is a blog devoted to Holling Clancy Holling, and there we found out about a charming incident, in a post titled:
The Hollings on the Road

 

'“Holling and Lucille were traveling around the United States gathering material for future books. This picture was taken Aug. 19, 1937, during a newspaper interview in Seattle, Washington.

“Holling talked about how they lived off the land during their trip. In one of Holling's letters he talked about the white cat they are holding. This cat always slept on their bed at night.” Most cats never like to ride in a car so it’s surprising that it rode so well on the Hollings’ extensive road trip.'

We have a picture of another cat, from that blog, supposedly reading ”The Blot: Little City Cat (1931).



Holling C. Holling did the illustrations for this book. This blog is a great place to find out more about our author, illustrator, and naturalist.