Dolittle

Dolittle is a fictional character created by British author Hugh Lofting. He appears in a series of children's books beginning with The Story of Doctor Dolittle (1920). The character is a physician in Victorian-era England who discovers he can converse with animals in their own languages. Using this talent, Dolittle undertakes adventures to help animals and humans, often aided by animal companions and a cottage setting in Puddleby-on-the-Marsh in some stories.

The book series blends medical science with fantasy and moral tales, and emphasizes empathy toward animals and the natural world. Over time, Lofting's Dolittle has appeared in sequels featuring a wide range of animal interactions and adventures, expanding the scope of his journeys and discoveries.

Adaptations across film and stage have introduced Dolittle to wider audiences. The 1967 musical film Doctor Dolittle, produced by 20th Century Fox and starring Rex Harrison, includes songs by the Sherman brothers and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for Talk to the Animals. A later American film series reimagined the character as a talking-to-animals veterinarian; Dr. Dolittle (1998) with Eddie Murphy spawned a sequel, Dr. Dolittle 2 (2001). In 2020, Dolittle, a new live-action film starring Robert Downey Jr., offered a different take with CGI animals and a more adventure-focused tone.