Dr. Theodore S. Giesel Seuss (American, 1904-1991)

The present work shows the elephant Horton who first appeared as the title character in Horton Hatches the Egg by Dr. Seuss, published in 1940.

In this story Horton is persuaded by a bird named Mayzie to sit on her nest and guard an egg. Horton reluctantly agrees and is left by the bird for many months. From his precarious position in the tree-tops Horton becomes a figure of ridicule and before long he is captured by hunters and put into a traveling circus. The egg finally hatches and the creature that emerges is a cross between Horton and its mother.

Horton appeared again in Horton Hears a Who! and has also been featured in animated films and a musical inspired by the work of Dr. Seuss.