American cartoonist Bill Watterson created the popular comic strip Calvin and Hobbes.

After earning a degree in Political Science from Kenyon College Watterson was hired for a six-month trial as a political cartoonist at The Cincinnati Post. After six months however, he lost his job at the newspaper. Watterson spent the next five working a series of odd jobs while developing and pitching a series of rejected comic strips.Ignatz: Bill Watterson Bio His big break came in 1985, when the United Features Syndicate signed Watterson to a development contract off of concept for a strip titled "In the Doghouse."Ignatz: Bill Watterson Bio When Universal Press Syndicate dropped Doghouse for fear that it couldn't be sold, Universal Press Syndicate encouraged Watterson to develop a strip around two characters from the strip: an obnoxious little boy and his stuffed tiger.Ignatz: Bill Watterson Bio Later that year, the first Calvin and Hobbes comic was published. Only a year later, Watterson was awarded the prestigious Reuben Award from the National Cartoonists Society, becoming the youngest person ever to win the award.AndrewsMcMeel.com: About Bill Watterson In 1995 Watterson stopped writing Calvin and Hobbes and retired from comics entirely.

"I've loved comic strips as long as I can remember. As a kid, I knew I wanted to be either a cartoonist or an astronaut. The latter was never much of a possibility, as I don't even like riding in elevators. I kept my options open until seventh grade, but when I stopped understanding math and science, my choice was made."AndrewsMcMeel.com: About Bill Watterson

"God put me on this earth to accomplish a certain number of things. Right now I am so far behind that I will never die."BrainyQuote: Bill Watterson Quotes

"I think we dream so we don't have to be apart so long. If we're in each other's dreams, we can play together all night."BrainyQuote: Bill Watterson Quotes