Sheldon Allan "Shel" Silverstein (September 25, 1930 – May 8/9, 1999), was an American poet, singer-songwriter, cartoonist, screenwriter and author of children's books. He styled himself as Uncle Shelby in his children's books. Translated into more than 30 languages, his books have sold over 20 million copies.
Silverstein was born into a Jewish family and had one sister, Peggy. He attended Roosevelt High School and University of Illinois and was expelled. He then attended Chicago Academy of Fine Arts and Roosevelt University for three years, until drafted in 1953 into the United States Army and served in Japan and Korea. He had a girlfriend named Susan with whom he had one daughter on June 30, 1970 named Shoshanna who died in 1982 of a cerebral aneurysm. He also had a son named Mathew (b. circa 1984).[3][4]
Silverstein died at his home in Key West, Florida from a massive heart attack. His body was found on May 10, 1999 by two housekeepers. Silverstein died at age 68. The exact date of his death is not certain. Silverstein is buried in Westlawn Cemetery in Chicago.
Silverstein was born into a Jewish family and had one sister, Peggy. He attended Roosevelt High School and University of Illinois and was expelled. He then attended Chicago Academy of Fine Arts and Roosevelt University for three years, until drafted in 1953 into the United States Army and served in Japan and Korea. He had a girlfriend named Susan with whom he had one daughter on June 30, 1970 named Shoshanna who died in 1982 of a cerebral aneurysm. He also had a son named Mathew (b. circa 1984).[3][4]
Silverstein died at his home in Key West, Florida from a massive heart attack. His body was found on May 10, 1999 by two housekeepers. Silverstein died at age 68. The exact date of his death is not certain. Silverstein is buried in Westlawn Cemetery in Chicago.