Was Doctor Dolittle a real person?

Dr. Dolittle wasn't a real person. He is a character created by Hugh Lofting for a series of childrens' stories. Dr. Dolittle was played by Rex Harrison in the first movie based on the books. The newer movies, very roughly based on the books has Eddie Murphy playing the part of the Dr. There is no one in the world who could talk to the animals with a parrot teaching a person how to speak and talk to animals.