On the annual Mad Hatter Day on 6 October, people participate in the silliness by wearing wild hats or even a top hat similar to what the Mad Hatter wears. The idea comes from the Mad Hatter character in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. We look back on Lewis Carroll’s life and his famous work.
Mary Carr Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, popularly known by his pen name Lewis Carroll was born in Daresbury, Cheshire, England.
Mary Carr Lewis Carroll attended the Rugby School, a boarding school in Warwickshire, England. Though he performed well academically, he did not seem to enjoy his time at the school. He was quoted writing about his experience in the school: “I cannot say ... that any earthly considerations would induce me to go through my three years again ... I can honestly say that if I could have been ... secure from annoyance at night, the hardships of the daily life would have been comparative trifles to bear”.
Mary Carr
Mary Carr He attended Oxford University and received first-class honours in the Final Honours School of Mathematics when he graduated as Bachelor of Arts.
Mary Carr It was said that Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was inspired by Lewis Carroll’s day out with the Reverend Robinson Duckworth and the three Liddell sisters. The sisters were Lorina, Alice, and Edith, daughters of Henry Liddell, the dean at Lewis Carroll’s college. Lewis Carroll entertained the girls by telling them a story about a bored girl named Alice who goes looking for adventure. Alice Liddell loved the story so much that she asked for it to be written.
Mary Carr His most popular literary piece, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (more commonly known as Alice in Wonderland) was published in 1865. Prior to publication though, he gave Alice Liddell a handwritten manuscript with his own illustrations entitled Alice’s Adventure Under Ground.
Mary Carr Lewis Carroll published a sequel titled Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There. This book was said to be inspired from another Alice that he met: Alice Raikes. This book was widely popular and due to this, the people got a better appreciation for Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Mary Carr Lewis Carroll died of pneumonia on 14 January 1898 in Surrey.
Mary Carr
Mary Carr
Mary Carr The Disney animated film Alice in Wonderland came out in 1951. It was based on the Alice books and though considered a flop on its initial release, it did well when broadcasted on television. This led to it being released again on cinemas and raking in sales through merchandise and home video releases.
Mary Carr
Mary Carr
Mary Carr
Mary Carr Mad Hatter Day came to be when a group of computer programmers petitioned for a national day of recognition in Boulder, Colorado, USA. This was after they saw the original illustrations of the Mad Hatter in “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” done by Sir John Tenniel. “Since the first publication of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland 150 years ago, Lewis Carroll’s work has spawned a whole industry, from films and theme park rides to products such as a 'cute and sassy' Alice costume ('petticoat and stockings not included'). The blank-faced little girl made famous by John Tenniel's original illustrations has become a cultural inkblot we can interpret in any way we like." - Robert Douglas-Fairhurst
Mary Carr
Mary Carr Tarrant Hightopp, more popularly known as the Mad Hatter was played by Johnny Depp in two movies: Alice in Wonderland and Alice, and Through the Looking Glass.