Hugh John Lofting (1886 – 1947) was an English author trained as a civil engineer, who created the classic children's literature character of Doctor Dolittle. Lofting travelled widely as a civil engineer before enlisting in the Irish Guards regiment of the British Army in the First World War. Not wishing to write to his children about the brutal war, he wrote imaginative letters, which later became the foundation of the successful Doctor Dolittle novels for children. In 1920, the first book was published under the title The Story of Doctor Dolittle. For the sequel The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle, Lofting received the prestigious Newbery Medal children's book award in 1922. Ten more books were to follow. The book series was adapted for radio plays as well as for film (including Doctor Dolittle, 1967) and television (as an animated series).