# Hugh Lofting

## Biography

Hugh Lofting was an English-American author, best known as the creator of the beloved children's character Doctor Dolittle. Born in Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, in 1886, Lofting initially trained as a civil engineer. His engineering work took him to various parts of the world, including Africa and the West Indies. However, he eventually settled in New York in 1912 with aspirations of becoming a writer.

Lofting’s experiences serving in the British Army during World War I profoundly influenced his writing. Unable to write to his children about the grim realities of war, he instead penned imaginative letters featuring a doctor who could communicate with animals. These letters became the foundation for "The Story of Doctor Dolittle," published in 1920. The book's success led to a popular series, and Lofting continued to write about the eccentric physician from his home in the United States, where he lived most of his life after the war. He passed away in 1947.

## Books

- [The Story of Doctor Dolittle](https://samolit.com/books/96360)