Date of Birth: February 16, 1944
Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
Biography
Richard Ford is an esteemed American novelist and short story writer, born on February 16, 1944, in Jackson, Mississippi. He is best known for his series of novels featuring the character Frank Bascombe, which includes the critically acclaimed “The Sportswriter” (1986), “Independence Day” (1995), “The Lay of the Land” (2006), and “Let Me Be Frank with You” (2014). Ford’s works are celebrated for their incisive exploration of American life and the complexities of human relationships. Ford’s early life was marked by frequent moves due to his father’s job as a traveling salesman. He attended Michigan State University, where he initially studied management but later switched to English literature. After earning his undergraduate degree, Ford attended the University of California, Irvine, where he received an MFA in creative writing. His first novel, “A Piece of My Heart,” was published in 1976, followed by “The Ultimate Good Luck” in 1981. However, it was “The Sportswriter” that brought Ford widespread recognition. The sequel, “Independence Day,” won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the PEN/Faulkner Award, making Ford the first author to receive both honors for the same book. Throughout his career, Ford has also written numerous short stories, many of which have been published in prestigious magazines such as The New Yorker and Esquire. His short story collections include “Rock Springs” (1987) and “A Multitude of Sins” (2002). Ford’s writing is characterized by its deep empathy, keen observation, and elegant prose.
5 Interesting Facts about Richard Ford
1. Richard Ford has been legally blind in one eye since he was a child.
2. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the PEN/Faulkner Award for “Independence Day.”
3. Ford has taught at several universities, including Princeton and Columbia.
4. He has been married to Kristina Hensley Ford since 1968.
5. Ford briefly worked as a sportswriter for Inside Sports magazine.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Richard Ford
1. “Writing is the only thing I’ve ever done with persistence, except for being married.”
2. “You can’t write if you don’t read. But you can’t read if you don’t live.”
3. “Literature is better than any other form of art because it allows the writer to be in total control.”
4. “I think writing is a job: you have to show up in the morning and do it.”
5. “People surprise you, Frank, with just how fuckin’ stupid they are.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
The highest net worth achieved by Richard Ford is estimated to be around $3 million.
Children
Richard Ford and his wife Kristina Hensley Ford do not have children.
Relevant Links
1. [Richard Ford – Biography](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Ford
2. [Richard Ford on The New Yorker](https://www.newyorker.com/contributors/richard-ford
3. [Pulitzer Prize for Fiction – Richard Ford](https://www.pulitzer.org/winners/richard-ford
5. [Richard Ford’s works on Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17905.Richard_Ford
