Jeff Kinney
Jeffrey Patrick Kinney, born on February 19, , is an American author, cartoonist, and game designer, best known for creating the popular children's book series "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" and the website "Poptropica". His "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series, launched online in , became a major success, leading to a multi-book deal and international fame. The series has won multiple awards and continues to be a favorite among young readers, with 31 books published to date[1†][2†].
Early Years and Education
Jeff Kinney was born on February 19, , in Fort Washington, Maryland[2†][1†]. He was one of four children in his family[2†][1†]. His mother was an educator, and his father worked for the federal government[2†]. From a young age, Kinney had a keen interest in cartooning[2†][1†].
Kinney attended Potomac Landing Elementary School and later Eugene Burroughs School for middle school[2†]. He then went to Bishop McNamara High School, where he graduated in [2†][1†]. During his school years, he was fond of reading books by authors such as Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary, Piers Anthony, and J.R.R. Tolkien[2†][3†].
After high school, Kinney attended Villanova University for one year on a
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Diary of a Wimpy Kid author Jeff Kinney didn’t grow up wanting to be a children’s author. His dream was to become a newspaper cartoonist but he wasn’t able to get his comic strip syndicated.
Jeff Kinney was born in in Maryland and attended the University of Maryland in the early s. It was there that Jeff ran a comic strip called “Igdoof” in the campus newspaper. He knew he wanted to be a cartoonist.
However, Jeff was not successful getting his comic strip syndicated after college, and in he started writing down ideas for Diary of a Wimpy Kid, which he hoped to turn into a book. Jeff worked on the book for six years before publishing it online on in daily installments.
In , Jeff signed a multi-book deal with publisher Harry N. Abrams, Inc. to turn Diary of a Wimpy Kid into a print series. The first Diary of a Wimpy Kid book was published in and became an instant bestseller. Just a year later, more than , copies were in print in the United States alone. With each subsequent book, in-print numbers continue to grow exponentially both in the U.S. and abroad. There are now more than million copies of the series in print worldwide.
Jeff Kinney Biography Discover the inspiring journey of Jeff Kinney, the bestselling author of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Learn about his net worth, family, wife, first book, career achievements, and awards.
Jeff Kinney is a renowned American author, cartoonist, and game designer best known for his globally popular book series, Diary of a Wimpy Kid. His books, which humorously depict the struggles of a middle schooler, have sold millions of copies worldwide and have been adapted into successful films. Beyond writing, Kinney has also made significant contributions to online gaming and literature, making him one of the most influential figures in modern children’s fiction.
Jeff Kinney Biography: Personal Overview
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jeffrey Patrick Kinney |
| Date of Birth | February 19, |
| Age | 53 years old (as of ) |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | University of Maryland, College Park |
| Profession | Author, Cartoonist, Game Designer |
| Notable Works | Diary of a Wimpy Kid series |
| First Book | Diary of a Wimpy Kid () |
| Net Worth | Estimated at $ million |
| Awards | Children’s Choice Book Award, Nickelodeon Kids Choice Award |