by Jo Strausz Rosen
July 11, 2025
On July 11, we celebrate the birthday of Elwyn Brooks White, better known as E.B. White, born in 1899. White lived to be 86 and left behind a literary legacy that continues to inspire writers, readers, and communicators of all kinds. Best known as the author of children’s classics Charlotte’s Web, Stuart Little, and The Trumpet of the Swan, White was also a longtime contributor to The New Yorker, admired for his wit, precision, and humanity.
In October 2019, White’s life and work were celebrated in Some Writer! a beautifully illustrated children’s biography by Melissa Sweet. The book blends artwork, letters, and archival materials to introduce young readers to White’s extraordinary journey, from curious boy to beloved author, illuminating his life and works and inspiring a love of words and creativity for all ages.
White’s work on The Elements of Style, the iconic writing guide originally authored by his Cornell professor, William Strunk Jr. In 1957, was updated and expanded from Strunk’s slim volume, breathing new life into its timeless advice. The revised edition, published in 1959, was first introduced to me in 1969 by West Bloomfield high school English teacher, Ruth Leinweber, who wisely encouraged us to own a copy.
White’s added chapter, “An Approach to Style,” remains a personal favorite. With humor and humility, he offers practical wisdom on tone, voice, and clarity, guidance that still resonates with me today. Even in the age of email and instant communication, I often find myself asking: What would E.B. White do?
He would insist on clarity over cleverness, on purpose over performance. He would remind us that a short, well-structured message, free of jargon, unnecessary words, or flourish, is both respectful and effective. He did exactly that, day after day, from a small boathouse in Maine, seated at a modest desk with his Royal Quiet De Luxe manual typewriter. With that sturdy, unassuming machine, he shaped some of the most elegant sentences in American literature, proof that simplicity, when done well, is its own form of brilliance.
At Jewish Senior Life of Metropolitan Detroit, White’s principles are more relevant than ever. Whether our department is updating the website, crafting a weekly newsletter, or sending an all-staff email, we strive to communicate with clarity, respect, and intention. In a community that values connection, trust, and dignity, how we write truly matters.
White believed that good writing was a form of good manners, thoughtful, honest, and crafted with the audience in mind. His timeless advice reminds us that communication isn’t just about getting a message across, but about building relationships, one word at a time.
Today, we celebrate not just E.B. White’s birthday, but his enduring philosophy. His commitment to writing well and living thoughtfully continues to shape how I approach my work and connect with others.
Happy 126th Heavenly Birthday, Mr. White, and thank you.
Shabbat Shalom.
