Gorey, born on February 22, 1925, is known for his many books that feature strange characters, mythical creatures and double-crossing villains. Gorey’s most famous work is his alphabet book, titled “The Gashlycrumb Tinies,” which starts out with, “A is for Amy, who fell down the stairs.”

Gorey was influenced by his family and claimed to have inherited his talents from his great-grandmother, who was a popular 19th-century greeting card writer and artist. Gorey worked hard to become successful. He attended Harvard University, where he studied French and roomed with poet Frank O'Hara. After graduating, Gorey founded the Poets' Theatre in Cambridge with O’Hara and other Harvard alumni in the early 1950s.

He blended Goth and comedy in his works. Many of his illustrations were shown in publications such as The New Yorker and The New York Times. His animations were also showcased on the “PBS Mystery” series.

Later in his career, he shifted his focus to adult works and ended up with a Tony Award for his amazing costume design for the 1977 Broadway production of “Dracula.”

In his later years, Gorey moved to Cape Cod, Massachusetts and purchased an old sea captain’s home, which is now a place you can visit called The Edward Gorey House.  By the time he had passed away in 2002, Edward Gorey had published more than 100 independent works and illustrated many others.

Learn more:
Edward Gorey’s biography
Read the famously gruesome children’s alphabet book, “The Gashlycrumb Tinies”
View samplings of his unique works