Charles Schultz

Charles Schultz is arguably the most famous American cartoonist of all time. His comic strip, “Peanuts,” ran for fifty years, ending with his death in 2000.

            He was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, on November 26, 1922. He began studying art when he saw an ad titled “Do you like to draw?” It turned into his lifelong passion. He said that for him, it was all he could imagine doing, because cartooning was vitally important to him. In his later years, he spent much of his time at the Redwood Empire Ice Arena, playing hockey and drinking coffee. He contracted cancer of the colon in 1999.

            Many people have said that he is the most famous cartoonist of all time. One of his fellow cartoonists and friends said that if any cartoonist was to be remembered a hundred years from now, it would be Schultz. He won several awards for cartooning: the Reuben Award, which is the most prestigious award for cartoonists, was his twice, in 1955 and in 1964. He was also voted International Cartoonist of the Year by over 700 cartoonists around the world in 1978. Another award was supposed to be his until his untimely death.

            He is best known for his comic strip “Peanuts”. It started 1947, and it was called “Lil’ Folks”; however, in 1950 it was bought by a syndicate. They changed its name to what it is now (apparently the cartoonist didn’t originally like the name). What makes the Peanuts so lovable is the way they remain the same; Snoopy still regards Charlie Brown as “the kid” who brings him his food; Sally is just as pert. The readers of Peanuts are fiercely loyal to the cartoon.

            Charles Schultz’s life was full and he spent it doing what he loved. The man considered by many to be the greatest cartoonist of all time died on February 23^rd, 2000, in his sleep.