Styron, William, 1925-2006

Variant names
Dates:
Birth 1925-06-11
Death 2006-11-01
Americans,
English,

Biographical notes:

American novelist William Styron was born in Virginia and graduated from Duke. After serving in World War II, he worked as an editor while writing his first novel. His work has been both controversial and timely; his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Confessions of Nat Turner, explored the theme of slavery, and benefitted from being released during the racially-charged 1960s, and his American Book Award-winning novel, Sophie's Choice, examined a World War II concentration camp survivor. His style was influenced by Faulkner and other Southern writers. An accomplished but not prolific novelist, Styron has also written in other genres.

From the description of William Styron letters, recording, and periodical, 1960-1968. (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 60573838

William Styron attended Davidson college from 1942 to 1943. He graduated from Duke University in 1947. A novelist, his works include The Confessions of Nat Turner, Sophie's Choice, and Lie Down in Darkness.

From the description of Collection [archives], 1942-1990. (American Museum of Natural History). WorldCat record id: 722301511

Author.

From the description of Reminiscences of William Styron : oral history, 1986-1987. (Columbia University In the City of New York). WorldCat record id: 269255080

American author and Duke University alumnus.

From the description of William Styron papers, 1855-2007 and undated. (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 40509458

Author and novelist.

From the description of Papers of William Styron, 1951-1968. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 75382873

Biographical Note

1925, June 11 Born, Newport News, Va. 1938 Mother died; sent to Christchurch School, Christchurch, Va. 1943 1945 Served in marines in World War II. 1947 Graduated, Duke University, Durham, N.C. 1947 1950 Worked briefly for McGraw-Hill, book publishers Studied writing, New School for Social Research, New York, N.Y. Published first short stories and began writing first novel 1951 Published Lie Down in Darkness. Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill Briefly recalled into marines during Korean War. 1952 Received fellowship in literature, American Academy, Rome Italy; spent time in France and Italy; helped found Paris Review 1953 Married Rose Burgunder 1954 Settled in Roxbury, Conn. 1955 Published The Long March. New York: Vintage Books 1960 Published Set This House on Fire. New York: Random House 1964 Fellow, Stillman College, Yale University, New Haven, Conn. 1967 Published The Confessions of Nat Turner. New York: Random House, for which he won the Pulitzer Prize 1972 Play In the Clap Shack, produced at Yale Repertory Theatre, New Haven, Conn.; became honorary consultant in letters, Library of Congress 1979 Published Sophie's Choice. New York: Random House 1982 Published This Quiet Dust. New York: Random House 1984 Received Connecticut Arts Award 1990 Published Darkness Visible: A Memoir of Madness. New York: Random House 1993 Awarded National Medal of Arts 2006, Nov. 1 Died, Martha’s Vineyard, Mass.

From the guide to the William Styron Papers, 1951-1968, (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)

1925, June 11 Born to William Clark Styron and Pauline (Abraham) Styron, in Newport News, Va. 1942 Attended Davidson College 1943 Enlisted in Marine Corps in V-12 program Transferred to Duke University 1944 1945 Served as lieutenant in the Marine Corps 1947 Received A.B. from Duke University Moved to New York City and studied writing with Hiram Haydn at the New School for Social Research Associate editor with McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, N.Y. 1952 Received American Academy of Arts and Letters Prix de Rome for Lie Down in Darkness (1951) 1953, May 4 Married Rose Burgunder 1960 Published the novel, Set this House on Fire 1968 Received Pulitzer Prize for The Confessions of Nat Turner (1967) 1970 Received Howells Medal of the American Academy of Arts and Letters for The Confessions of Nat Turner 1979 Publication of Sophie's Choice 1980 Received the American Book Award and nominated for the National Book Critics Circle Award, both for Sophie's Choice 1984 Received Connecticut Arts Award and Duke University's Distinguished Alumni Award Appointed a fellow of Silliman College of Yale University 1985 Received the Prix Mondial del Duca 1987 Received the Commandeur de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres 1988 Received Edward MacDowell Medal 1990 Publication of Darkness Visible: A Memoir of Madness, a narrative recalling the major depression Styron suffered beginning in 1985 2006 November Died at the age of 81 in Martha's Vineyard

From the guide to the William Styron Papers, 1855-2007, (David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University)

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Subjects:

  • American literature
  • American literature
  • Authors, American
  • Authors, American
  • American fiction
  • Novelists, American
  • Authors
  • Authors
  • Depressed persons
  • Depression, Mental
  • Fiction
  • Literature
  • Male authors, American

Occupations:

  • Authors
  • Editors
  • Novelists

Places:

  • Newport News (Va.) (as recorded)

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