Fun Facts Friday: Ludwig Bemelmans

Ludwig Bemelmans (27 April, 1898 – 1 October, 1962) was a painter, illustrator, and writer for both children and adults, he is mostly known for his Madeline children’s’ books.

Books by Ludwig Bemelmans*

1. Born in Mera, Austria-Hungry (now Italy), the author was the son of a hotel owner.
2. He spoke French and German since childhood.
3. After Mr. Bemelmans shot and wounded a waiter in an Austrian hotel he was forced to emigrate to the United States (he was an apprentice and preferred the US over reform school).
4. During World War II he joined the US Army, but was not sent to Europe because of his German origins. He did, however, became a Second Lieutenant.
5. Barbara, the author’s daughter, inspired the character of
6. The author won the Caldecott Medal for US picture book illustration in 1953 for the book Madeline’s Rescue.
7. Aristotle Onassis hired Mr. Bemelmans to design and paint a scene at the children’s dining room on his yacht, the Christina O.
8. A mural titled “Central Park” by Mr. Bemelmans decorates the Bemelmans Bar at the Carlyle Hotel in NYC. This is his only work which is publicly displayed.
9. John Bemelmans-Marciano, Mr. Bemelmans grandson, has taken over the Madeline series after the author’s death.
10. Six Madeline books were published during the author’s lifetime. A seventh was discovered after his death.

Books by Ludwig Bemelmans*

Zohar – Man of la Book
*Ama­zon links point to an affil­i­ate account

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