The influence of progressivism at Dartmouth College upon the literary work of Theodor S. Geisel, a.k.a. Dr. Seuss

Purpose, Scope, and Method of Study: During the twentieth century, Theodor S. Geisel created a comprehensive literary canon under the pseudonym of Dr. Seuss. His celebrated children's books and lesser known political cartoons addressed socially Progressive themes. Although Seuss scholars indicate that World War II was the compelling factor that inspired Dr. Seuss's Progressive perspective, research is lacking in regards to the influence of Dartmouth College, Geisel's alma mater, upon his literary work. This historical study reviewed the Progressive curriculum of two prescribed freshmen orientation courses Geisel attended at Dartmouth. Additionally, it addressed Progressive themes embedded within the literature Dr. Seuss produced from 1937 to 1990. The data analyzed in this study included historical documents, journals, institutional reports, newspapers, magazine articles, course textbooks, and a selection of children's literature authored by Dr. Seuss.;Findings and Conclusions: The research findings indicated that Theodor S. Geisel was exposed to Progressivism as a student at Dartmouth College, and subsequently illustrated these ideas throughout his extensive literary work. Dartmouth's academic curriculum was infused with Progressive constructs as evidenced by the course textbooks for the freshmen orientation courses Evolution and Problems of Citizenship, and is consequently revealed in Dr. Seuss's political cartoons, his Japanese xenophobia, as well as his pre and post- World War II children's literature. This study concludes that Dartmouth College served as an inspiration for Dr. Seuss's Progressive philosophical perspective.