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John "Johnny" Gunther Jr.
John "Johnny" Gunther Jr. (November 4, 1929-June 30, 1947) is best remembered today as the subject of the popular memoir "Death Be Not Proud," which chronicles his battle with brain cancer and was written by his father, John Gunther Sr.
Johnny was one of two children born to John and Frances Gunther. A twin sister, Judith, died at the age of 4 months. Much of Johnny's early childhood was spent traveling in Europe, following his father's work for the London bureau of the Chicago Daily News.
Most who knew Johnny described him as extremely intelligent, with keen interests in chemistry and physics which developed in his teenage years. He even corresponded for a time on the subject of physics with Albert Einstein, as well as uncovering a new method of liquefying ammonia.
At age 16, while attending the prestigious Deerfield Academy preparatory school in Massachusetts, Johnny was diagnosed with a brain tumor. For 16 months, every treatment from major surgery to alternative therapies like the Gerson Diet was tried.
Through the ups and downs of his illness, Johnny fought to live, continuing as best he could with his school work and his normal life. He managed to graduate from Deerfield, as well as being accepted into Harvard University. Unfortunately, only two weeks after his prep school graduation, Johnny succumbed to his illness.
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