Linus Maurer was born and raised in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota. He spent four years in the Navy during World War II, and then went on to study art at the Minneapolis School of Art. Following graduation he became a cartoon instructer at the art instruction school, where Charles Schulz was teaching cartooning. Charles and Linus became good friends and Charles added the character "Linus" (named after his friend) into his newly developed comic strip "Peanuts."
When Charles Schulz announced his retirement in 1999 people in Saint Paul immediately started discussing ways to honor him. (Charles Schultz was born in Minneapolis but grew up in Saint Paul.)
What they came up with was 'Peanuts on Parade'. It was created as a public arts project patterned after the successful "Cows on Parade" in Chicago. In 2000 101 5-foot statues of Snoopy painted by local artists dotted the Saint Paul landscape. In 2001 the momentum continued by creating "Charlie Brown Around Town" with 102 Charlie Brown statues. In 2002 the tribute continued with "Looking for Lucy" and 103 Lucy statues.
In the fourth year, "Linus Blankets Saint Paul", 92 statues blanketed the streets of Saint Paul. The above statue was specially made for Linus' hometown of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota and Linus Maurer was on hand to dedicate it on August 27, 2003.
For more information see http://www.davidaerickson.com/peanuts/linus/ , or http://www.exploreminnesota.com/linus_blankets_saint_paul.html or http://www.sleepyeye-mn.com/