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Doctor John Dolittle is the central character of a series of children's books by
''The Story of Doctor Dolittle: Being the History of His Peculiar Life at Home and Astonishing Adventures in Foreign Parts Never Before Printed'' (1920) begins the series. The sequel ''The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle'' (1922) won the prestigious Newbery Medal. The next three, ''Doctor Dolittle's Post Office'' (1923), ''Doctor Dolittle's Circus'' (1924), and ''Doctor Dolittle's Caravan'' (1926) take place during and/or after the events of ''The Story of Doctor Dolittle''. Five more novels followed, and after Lofting's death in 1947, two more volumes of short, previously unpublished pieces appeared.
The stories, in order of publication, are:
#'' The Story of Doctor Dolittle'' (1920)
#'' The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle'' (1922)
#''
''The Voyages of Dr. Dolittle''
full text * (1928 cartoon) * (1970–1972 cartoon) * (1984 cartoon) * ''Doctor Dolittle'' first editions listed with images – https://sites.google.com/site/hughloftingfirsteditionsuk/ {{DEFAULTSORT:Dolittle, John Book series introduced in 1920 Characters in children's literature Fictional British medical doctors Doctor Dolittle Fantasy novel series Characters in fantasy literature Fictional linguists Fictional veterinarians Literary characters introduced in 1920 Characters in British novels of the 20th century Talking animals in fiction Fictional English people ja:ドリトル先生シリーズ
Doctor John Dolittle is the central character of a series of children's books by Hugh Lofting
Hugh John Lofting (14 January 1886 – 26 September 1947) was an English American writer trained as a civil engineer, who created the classic children's literature character Doctor Dolittle. The fictional physician to talking animals, based in a ...
starting with the 1920 '' The Story of Doctor Dolittle''. He is a physician who shuns human patients in favour of animals, with whom he can speak in their own languages. He later becomes a naturalist, using his abilities to speak with animals to better understand nature and the history of the world.Schmidt, G. D. (1992). ''Hugh Lofting''. New York: Twayne Publishing
Doctor Dolittle first appeared in the author's illustrated letters to his children, written from the trenches during World War I
World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
when actual news, he later said, was either too horrible or too dull. The stories are set in early Victorian England
In the history of the United Kingdom and the British Empire, the Victorian era was the period of Queen Victoria's reign, from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. The era followed the Georgian period and preceded the Edwardia ...
, where Doctor John Dolittle lives in the fictional English village of Puddleby-on-the-Marsh in the West Country
The West Country (occasionally Westcountry) is a loosely defined area of South West England, usually taken to include all, some, or parts of the counties of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Bristol, and, less commonly, Wiltshire, Gloucesters ...
.
Doctor Dolittle has a few close human friends, including Tommy Stubbins
This is a list of characters from the ''Doctor Dolittle'' series of children's books by Hugh Lofting and movies based on them. Most of the characters were introduced in the first book, the 1920 novel ''The Story of Doctor Dolittle''.
Humans Docto ...
and Matthew Mugg, the Cats'-Meat Man. The animal team includes Polynesia
Polynesia () "many" and νῆσος () "island"), to, Polinisia; mi, Porinihia; haw, Polenekia; fj, Polinisia; sm, Polenisia; rar, Porinetia; ty, Pōrīnetia; tvl, Polenisia; tkl, Polenihia (, ) is a subregion of Oceania, made up of ...
(a parrot), Gub-Gub
This is a list of characters from the ''Doctor Dolittle'' series of children's books by Hugh Lofting and movies based on them. Most of the characters were introduced in the first book, the 1920 novel ''The Story of Doctor Dolittle''.
Humans Docto ...
(a pig
The pig (''Sus domesticus''), often called swine, hog, or domestic pig when distinguishing from other members of the genus '' Sus'', is an omnivorous, domesticated, even-toed, hoofed mammal. It is variously considered a subspecies of ''Sus s ...
), Jip (a dog
The dog (''Canis familiaris'' or ''Canis lupus familiaris'') is a domesticated descendant of the wolf. Also called the domestic dog, it is derived from the extinct Pleistocene wolf, and the modern wolf is the dog's nearest living relative. Do ...
), Dab-Dab
This is a list of characters from the ''Doctor Dolittle'' series of children's books by Hugh Lofting and movies based on them. Most of the characters were introduced in the first book, the 1920 novel ''The Story of Doctor Dolittle''.
Humans Docto ...
(a duck
Duck is the common name for numerous species of waterfowl in the family Anatidae. Ducks are generally smaller and shorter-necked than swans and geese, which are members of the same family. Divided among several subfamilies, they are a form t ...
), Chee-Chee (a monkey
Monkey is a common name that may refer to most mammals of the infraorder Simiiformes, also known as the simians. Traditionally, all animals in the group now known as simians are counted as monkeys except the apes, which constitutes an incomple ...
), Too-Too (an owl), the Pushmi-pullyu
This is a list of characters from the ''Doctor Dolittle'' series of children's books by Hugh Lofting and movies based on them. Most of the characters were introduced in the first book, the 1920 novel ''The Story of Doctor Dolittle''.
Humans Docto ...
, and a white mouse later named simply "Whitey". Later on, in the 1925 novel ''Doctor Dolittle's Zoo
''Doctor Dolittle's Zoo'' was written and illustrated by Hugh Lofting in 1925. In the book, Doctor Dolittle returns from his voyages and sets his house in order. This includes expanding his zoo to include a home for crossbred dogs and a club f ...
'', Whitey founds (with the doctor's help) the ''Rat and Mouse Club'', whose membership eventually reaches some 5,000 rats and mice.
Inspiration
One inspiration for his character appears to be the Scottish surgeon John Hunter.Stories
Doctor Dolittle's Post Office
''Doctor Dolittle's Post Office'' is the third of Hugh Lofting's Doctor Dolittle books. Set on the West Coast of Africa, the 1923 book follows the episodic format of most other books in the series. In the beginning of the book, Doctor Dolittle ...
'' (1923)
#''Doctor Dolittle's Circus
''Doctor Dolittle's Circus'', written by Hugh Lofting and published in 1924 by Frederick A. Stokes, is set in England sometime between the original story and the later voyages narrated by Stubbins. It was one of the novels in the series whic ...
'' (1924)
#''Doctor Dolittle Meets a Londoner in Paris'' (1925)
#''Doctor Dolittle's Zoo
''Doctor Dolittle's Zoo'' was written and illustrated by Hugh Lofting in 1925. In the book, Doctor Dolittle returns from his voyages and sets his house in order. This includes expanding his zoo to include a home for crossbred dogs and a club f ...
'' (1925)
#''Doctor Dolittle's Caravan
''Doctor Dolittle's Caravan'' is a novel written by Hugh Lofting and published in 1926 by Frederick A. Stokes. It deals with the titular character's bird opera, centering on a female green canary named Pippinella. It is one of many books Hugh L ...
'' (1926)
#''Doctor Dolittle's Garden
''Doctor Dolittle's Garden'' (1927) is the eighth book in Hugh Lofting's Doctor Dolittle
Doctor John Dolittle is the central character of a series of children's books by Hugh Lofting starting with the 1920 ''The Story of Doctor Dolittle''. ...
'' (1927)
#''Doctor Dolittle in the Moon
''Doctor Dolittle in the Moon'' is a 1928 children's book by Hugh Lofting. The book tells the story of Doctor Dolittle who studies mystical animals and plants on the Moon. While on his adventure, his friends on Earth long for his return home.
P ...
'' (1928)
#'' Gub Gub's Book: An Encyclopaedia of Food'' (1932)
#''Doctor Dolittle's Return
''Doctor Dolittle's Return'', published in 1933, is the ninth book in Hugh Lofting, Hugh Lofting's Doctor Dolittle series. The book was published five years after the publication of ''Doctor Dolittle in the Moon'' and continues the plot line be ...
'' (1933)
#''Doctor Dolittle's Birthday Book'' (1936)
#''Doctor Dolittle and the Secret Lake
''Doctor Dolittle and the Secret Lake'' is a Doctor Dolittle book written by Hugh Lofting. The book was published posthumously in 1948, 15 years after its predecessor. Fittingly, it is the longest book in the series, and the tone is the darkes ...
'' (copyrighted 1923, but not published until 1948)
#'' Doctor Dolittle and the Green Canary'' (1950)
#'' Doctor Dolittle's Puddleby Adventures'' (1952)
#*"The Sea Dog"
#*"Dapple"
#*"The Dog Ambulance"
#*"The Stunned Man"
#*"The Crested Screamers"
#*"The Green Breasted Martins"
#*"The Story of the Maggot"
#*"The Lost Boy"
''Gub Gub's Book: An Encyclopaedia of Food'' (1932) is purportedly written by the pig. It is a series of food-themed animal vignettes. In the text, the pretence of Gub-Gub's authorship is dropped; Tommy Stubbins, Dr. Dolittle's assistant, explains that he is reporting a series of Gub-Gub's discourses to the other animals of the Dolittle household around the evening fire. Stubbins also says that the full version of Gub-Gub's encyclopaedia, which was an immense and poorly-organized collection of scribblings written by the pig in a language for pigs invented by Dr. Dolittle, was too long to translate into English.
''Doctor Dolittle's Birthday Book'' (1936) is a little day-book illustrated with pictures and quotations from the earlier stories. It appeared between ''Doctor Dolittle's Return'' and ''Doctor Dolittle and the Secret Lake''.
"Doctor Dolittle Meets a Londoner in Paris" is a short story included in ''The Flying Carpet'', pp. 110–19 (1925), an anthology of children's short stories and poems with illustrations by Cynthia Asquith
Lady Cynthia Mary Evelyn Asquith (née Charteris; 27 September 1887 – 31 March 1960) was an English writer and socialite, known for her ghost stories and diaries.Richard Dalby, ''The Virago Book of Ghost Stories''.Virago, London, , 1987 (p. 23 ...
.
April 2021, Shinichi Fukuoka, the Japanese biologist created a new story ''Dr. Dolittle Saves Galápagos Islands
The Galápagos Islands (Spanish: , , ) are an archipelago of volcanic islands. They are distributed on each side of the equator in the Pacific Ocean, surrounding the centre of the Western Hemisphere, and are part of the Republic of Ecuador ...
'' which appeared in The Asahi Shimbun
is one of the four largest newspapers in Japan. Founded in 1879, it is also one of the oldest newspapers in Japan and Asia, and is considered a newspaper of record for Japan. Its circulation, which was 4.57 million for its morning edition and ...
.
Chronology
The main events of ''The Story of Doctor Dolittle'' take place in 1819 or 1820, although the events of the early chapters seem to be spread over several years. ''The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle'' begins in 1839. Dolittle returned from his journey to the moon in ''Doctor Dolittle's return'' during a full lunar eclipse that was visible low in the sky one late evening in spring. This was the first full lunar eclipse for a couple of years, and it took place in May 1844 in real life. Backstory references indicate that Dr. Dolittle travelled to the North Pole in April 1809, and already knew how to speak to some species of animals at that date, suggesting that the early chapters of ''The Story of Doctor Dolittle'' take place before that date. However, it is possible that the internal chronology is not consistent. The internal chronology of the books is somewhat different from the publishing order. The first book is followed by ''Doctor Dolittle's Circus
''Doctor Dolittle's Circus'', written by Hugh Lofting and published in 1924 by Frederick A. Stokes, is set in England sometime between the original story and the later voyages narrated by Stubbins. It was one of the novels in the series whic ...
'' (1924), ''Doctor Dolittle's Caravan
''Doctor Dolittle's Caravan'' is a novel written by Hugh Lofting and published in 1926 by Frederick A. Stokes. It deals with the titular character's bird opera, centering on a female green canary named Pippinella. It is one of many books Hugh L ...
'' (1926), '' Doctor Dolittle and the Green Canary'' (1950), and ''Doctor Dolittle's Post Office
''Doctor Dolittle's Post Office'' is the third of Hugh Lofting's Doctor Dolittle books. Set on the West Coast of Africa, the 1923 book follows the episodic format of most other books in the series. In the beginning of the book, Doctor Dolittle ...
'' (1923). Only then follows the second book, ''The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle'' (1922), continued by ''Doctor Dolittle's Zoo
''Doctor Dolittle's Zoo'' was written and illustrated by Hugh Lofting in 1925. In the book, Doctor Dolittle returns from his voyages and sets his house in order. This includes expanding his zoo to include a home for crossbred dogs and a club f ...
'' (1925). After that, the publishing order is restored; ''Doctor Dolittle's Garden
''Doctor Dolittle's Garden'' (1927) is the eighth book in Hugh Lofting's Doctor Dolittle
Doctor John Dolittle is the central character of a series of children's books by Hugh Lofting starting with the 1920 ''The Story of Doctor Dolittle''. ...
'' (1927) is followed by ''Doctor Dolittle in the Moon
''Doctor Dolittle in the Moon'' is a 1928 children's book by Hugh Lofting. The book tells the story of Doctor Dolittle who studies mystical animals and plants on the Moon. While on his adventure, his friends on Earth long for his return home.
P ...
'' (1928) and ''Doctor Dolittle's Return
''Doctor Dolittle's Return'', published in 1933, is the ninth book in Hugh Lofting, Hugh Lofting's Doctor Dolittle series. The book was published five years after the publication of ''Doctor Dolittle in the Moon'' and continues the plot line be ...
'' (1933), ending with ''Doctor Dolittle and the Secret Lake
''Doctor Dolittle and the Secret Lake'' is a Doctor Dolittle book written by Hugh Lofting. The book was published posthumously in 1948, 15 years after its predecessor. Fittingly, it is the longest book in the series, and the tone is the darkes ...
'' (1948).Schmidt, G.D. (1992). Hugh Lofting. New York: Twayne Publishing
The stories, in order of internal chronology, are:
*'' The Story of Doctor Dolittle'' (1920)
:*"The Green Breasted Martins" (follows Chapter XII in ''The Story of Doctor Dolittle''; collected in '' Doctor Dolittle's Puddleby Adventures'' (1952))
*''Doctor Dolittle's Circus
''Doctor Dolittle's Circus'', written by Hugh Lofting and published in 1924 by Frederick A. Stokes, is set in England sometime between the original story and the later voyages narrated by Stubbins. It was one of the novels in the series whic ...
'' (1924)
*''Doctor Dolittle's Caravan
''Doctor Dolittle's Caravan'' is a novel written by Hugh Lofting and published in 1926 by Frederick A. Stokes. It deals with the titular character's bird opera, centering on a female green canary named Pippinella. It is one of many books Hugh L ...
'' (1926)
:*"The Crested Screamers" (takes place within Part One, Chapter 12 of ''Doctor Dolittle's Caravan''; collected in ''Doctor Dolittle's Puddleby Adventures'' (1952))
:*"The Lost Boy" (takes place within Part One, Chapter 12 of ''Doctor Dolittle's Caravan''; collected in ''Doctor Dolittle's Puddleby Adventures'' (1952))
*'' Doctor Dolittle and the Green Canary'' (1950)
:*" Doctor Dolittle Meets a Londoner in Paris" (1925 – uncollected)
*''Doctor Dolittle's Post Office
''Doctor Dolittle's Post Office'' is the third of Hugh Lofting's Doctor Dolittle books. Set on the West Coast of Africa, the 1923 book follows the episodic format of most other books in the series. In the beginning of the book, Doctor Dolittle ...
'' (1923)
*'' The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle'' (1922)
*''Doctor Dolittle's Zoo
''Doctor Dolittle's Zoo'' was written and illustrated by Hugh Lofting in 1925. In the book, Doctor Dolittle returns from his voyages and sets his house in order. This includes expanding his zoo to include a home for crossbred dogs and a club f ...
'' (1925)
*''Doctor Dolittle's Garden
''Doctor Dolittle's Garden'' (1927) is the eighth book in Hugh Lofting's Doctor Dolittle
Doctor John Dolittle is the central character of a series of children's books by Hugh Lofting starting with the 1920 ''The Story of Doctor Dolittle''. ...
'' (1927)
:*"The Sea Dog" (takes place at the beginning of ''Doctor Dolittle's Garden''; collected in ''Doctor Dolittle's Puddleby Adventures'' (1952))
:*"Dapple" (takes place at the beginning of ''Doctor Dolittle's Garden''; collected in ''Doctor Dolittle's Puddleby Adventures'' (1952))
:*"The Dog Ambulance" (takes place at the beginning of ''Doctor Dolittle's Garden''; collected in ''Doctor Dolittle's Puddleby Adventures'' (1952))
:*"The Stunned Man" (takes place at the beginning of ''Doctor Dolittle's Garden''; collected in ''Doctor Dolittle's Puddleby Adventures'' (1952))
:*"The Story of the Maggot" (given a greatly reduced summary at the conclusion to early printings of Part Two, Chapter 4 of ''Doctor Dolittle's Garden''; collected in ''Doctor Dolittle's Puddleby Adventures'' (1952))
*'' Gub Gub's Book: An Encyclopaedia of Food'' (1932)
*''Doctor Dolittle in the Moon
''Doctor Dolittle in the Moon'' is a 1928 children's book by Hugh Lofting. The book tells the story of Doctor Dolittle who studies mystical animals and plants on the Moon. While on his adventure, his friends on Earth long for his return home.
P ...
'' (1928)
*''Doctor Dolittle's Return
''Doctor Dolittle's Return'', published in 1933, is the ninth book in Hugh Lofting, Hugh Lofting's Doctor Dolittle series. The book was published five years after the publication of ''Doctor Dolittle in the Moon'' and continues the plot line be ...
'' (1933)
*''Doctor Dolittle's Birthday Book'' (1936)
*''Doctor Dolittle and the Secret Lake
''Doctor Dolittle and the Secret Lake'' is a Doctor Dolittle book written by Hugh Lofting. The book was published posthumously in 1948, 15 years after its predecessor. Fittingly, it is the longest book in the series, and the tone is the darkes ...
'' (copyrighted 1923, but not published until 1948)
Adaptations
There have been a number of adaptations of the Doctor Dolittle stories in other media: Animation: * 1928: ''Doktor Dolittle und seine Tiere'' (''Doctor Dolittle and his Animals''), a silent animated short in German by Lotte Reiniger * 1970–1972: ''Doctor Dolittle'' animated TV series, produced at DePatie-Freleng Enterprises for20th Century Fox Television
20th Television (formerly 20th Century Fox Television, 20th Century-Fox Television, and TCF Television Productions, Inc.) is an American television production company that is a division of Disney Television Studios, part of The Walt Disney Compa ...
* 1984: The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle (ドリトルせんせいものがたり) (U.S.-Japan coproduction, not aired in Japan until 1997)
* 2011: ''The Voyages of Young Doctor Dolittle'' direct-to-video
Direct-to-video or straight-to-video refers to the release of a film, TV series, short or special to the public immediately on home video formats rather than an initial theatrical release or television premiere. This distribution strategy was p ...
animated film, starring Jane Seymour
Jane Seymour (c. 150824 October 1537) was List of English consorts, Queen of England as the third wife of King Henry VIII of England from their Wives of Henry VIII, marriage on 30 May 1536 until her death the next year. She became queen followi ...
, Jason Alexander
Jay Scott Greenspan (born September 23, 1959), known professionally as Jason Alexander, is an American actor, comedian, host and director. An Emmy and Tony winner, he is best known for his role as George Costanza in the television series '' Se ...
, and Tim Curry
Audio:
* 1933–1934: NBC radio series
* 1995–2001: BBC audio books read by Alan Bennett
Stages
* 1973: stage adaptation by the Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale, which was used during their concert tour to Belgium and Kenya
* 1998: '' Doctor Dolittle'' stage musical by Leslie Bricusse, based on the 1967 film musical
* 2007: stage musical adaptation by TheatreWorksUSA, written by Randy Courts and Mark St. Germain
Mark St. Germain is an American playwright, author, and film and television writer.
Career Plays
St. Germain has written ''Camping With Henry And Tom'' ( Outer Critics Circle and Lucille Lortel Awards), ''Out of Gas On Lover's Leap'', ''Forgivin ...
Film:
* 1967: '' Doctor Dolittle'', starring Rex Harrison
Sir Reginald Carey "Rex" Harrison (5 March 1908 – 2 June 1990) was an English actor. Harrison began his career on the stage in 1924. He made his West End debut in 1936 appearing in the Terence Rattigan play ''French Without Tears'', in what ...
* 1998: '' Dr. Dolittle'' and its sequels: ''Dr. Dolittle 2
''Dr. Dolittle 2'' (also known as ''Doctor Dolittle 2'') is a 2001 American fantasy comedy film and a sequel to the 1998 film ''Dr. Dolittle''. It was written by Larry Levin, one of the co-writers of ''Dr. Dolittle'', and directed by Steve Carr. ...
'' (2001), ''Dr. Dolittle 3
''Dr. Dolittle 3'' is a 2006 American fantasy comedy film and the third film in the ''Dr. Dolittle'' series. It stars Kyla Pratt, the original daughter in the remake series, as Maya. Starring alongside Pratt are Kristen Wilson as Lisa Dolittle ...
'' (2006), '' Dr. Dolittle: Tail to the Chief'' (2008), and '' Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts'' (2009). The first two star Eddie Murphy
Edward Regan Murphy (born April 3, 1961) is an American actor, comedian, writer, producer, and singer. He rose to fame on the sketch comedy show ''Saturday Night Live'', for which he was a regular cast member from 1980 to 1984. Murphy has als ...
in the title role, whereas all five star Kyla Pratt as his daughter, Maya. Norm Macdonald appears in each film as the voice of their dog, Lucky.
* 2020: '' Dolittle'', a live action adaptation starring Robert Downey Jr.
Robert John Downey Jr. (born April 4, 1965) is an American actor and producer. His career has been characterized by critical and popular success in his youth, followed by a period of substance abuse and legal troubles, before a resurgence of ...
, Michael Sheen, and Antonio Banderas
José Antonio Domínguez Bandera (born 10 August 1960), known professionally as Antonio Banderas, is a Spanish actor and singer. Known for his work in films of several genres, he has received List of awards and nominations received by Antonio Ba ...
.
Video Games:
* 2006: Dr. Dolittle PS2
The PlayStation 2 (PS2) is a home video game console developed and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment. It was first released in Japan on 4 March 2000, in North America on 26 October 2000, in Europe on 24 November 2000, and in Australia o ...
video game produced by Aqua Pacific and distributed by Blast! Entertainment Ltd
Appearances in other languages
A Russian children's novel '' Doctor Aybolit'' (Doctor Oh-it-hurts) by Korney Chukovsky (first published in 1924) was loosely based on the stories of Doctor Dolittle. The original novel credited Lofting's work, as did Chukovsky in his memoirs. Norwegian playwright, songwriter, and illustrator, Thorbjørn Egner, made an album called ''Doktor Dyregod'' (Doctor good-toward-animals) with songs and story based on Doctor Dolittle. All the books in the series have been translated into Japanese byIbuse Masuji
was a Japanese author. His most notable work is the novel '' Black Rain''.
Early life and education
Ibuse was born in 1898 to a landowning family in the village of , which is now part of Fukuyama, Hiroshima.
Ibuse failed his entrance exam to ...
and into Lithuanian by Pranas Mašiotas
Pranas Mašiotas (1863–1940) was a Lithuanian activist and educator best known as children's writer and translator.
Born in Suvalkija to a family of Lithuanian farmers, Mašiotas attended Marijampolė Gymnasium and studied mathematics at Mo ...
(few decades after appearance of an original).
See also
* List of ''Doctor Dolittle'' charactersReferences
External links
*''The Voyages of Dr. Dolittle''
full text * (1928 cartoon) * (1970–1972 cartoon) * (1984 cartoon) * ''Doctor Dolittle'' first editions listed with images – https://sites.google.com/site/hughloftingfirsteditionsuk/ {{DEFAULTSORT:Dolittle, John Book series introduced in 1920 Characters in children's literature Fictional British medical doctors Doctor Dolittle Fantasy novel series Characters in fantasy literature Fictional linguists Fictional veterinarians Literary characters introduced in 1920 Characters in British novels of the 20th century Talking animals in fiction Fictional English people ja:ドリトル先生シリーズ