Shel Silverstein

Shel Silverstein was most famous for his children’s books; he was also a cartoonist, a poet, a playwright, and a song writer.

His books include: The Giving Tree (1964), Where the Sidewalk Ends (1974), A Light in the Attic (1981), Falling Up (1996), Uncle Shelby’s ABZ Book, among others.

He also wrote songs performed by: Johnny Cash “A Boy Named Sue,” Emmylou Harris “Queen of the Silver Dollar,” and The Irish Rovers “Unicorn Song.” He collaborated on the David Mamet screenplay Things Change (1988).

Shel Silverstein won two Grammy Awards, and was nominated for Academy Awards and Golden Globe Awards. He was inducted into the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame (2014), and the Songwriters Hall of Fame (2002).

WHEN I AM GONE
When I am gone what will you do?
Who will write and draw for you?
Someone smarter—someone new?
Someone better—maybe YOU!

- Shel Silverstein

Veteran: Army. Served in Japan and Korea

Alum:
Theodore Roosevelt High School, Albany Park - Chicago
University of Illinois
Chicago Academy of Fine Arts

---

---

Honorary Shel Silverstein WAY

Northwest Corner of North Kimball Avenue and West Wilson Avenue - to the Southwest Corner of North Kimball Avenue and West Leland Avenue *

 

Approved: March 2024

Ward: 33
Alderman: Rodriguez-Sanchez
Neighborhood: Albany Park

b. September 25, 1930 in Chicago
d. May 10, 1999. Age 67. Key West, Florida

Near:
Theodore Roosevelt High School
3436 W. Wilson Avenue

---

Source

20247233

https://www.shelsilverstein.com/about-shel/

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/shel-silverstein

https://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/11/books/shel-silverstein-zany-writer-and-cartoonist-dies-at-67.html

* Amended July 2024 - changed location of sign

Aleko Konstantinov Way

Alekos Kostantinov was a Bulgarian writer who came to Chicago during the 1893 Columbian Exhibition World Fair.  His 1894 book "To Chicago and Back" was influential in attracting Bulgarian immigrants to Chicago and the resulting sizable Bulgarian community in Chicago.

 

His sign is located outside the First Bulgarian Center; where the Union of Bulgarian Writers hold it's meetings and is the common meeting place for Bulgarian writers living all over the world.  Bulgarian Culture Center Chicago

The honorary sign was dedicated to mark the 120th anniversary of his death.

---

Approved: 2017
Ward: 45
Alderman: John Arena
Neighborhood: Avondale / Old Irving Park

---