Schulz, Charles M(onroe) (1922–2000)
US cartoonist who created the Peanuts strip, syndicated by United Features Syndicate from 1950. By 1999 it had become the world's most widely syndicated cartoon strip, featured in more than 2,600 newspapers in 75 countries. His characters Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Linus have been merchandized worldwide and featured in a 1967 musical, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, played on Broadway.
He died the evening before the final Peanuts strip appeared, having sent it to be printed. He had announced his retirement in December 1999, having been diagnosed with stomach cancer. Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Schulz gained his only formal training through a correspondence course with the Minneapolis Art Institute. He joined the staff of the St Paul Pioneer Press in 1948.
| Schulz's character Snoopy was featured on a US postage stamp in September 2000, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Peanuts comic strip. |
