August Wilson

Date of Birth: April 27, 1945

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: October 2, 2005

Biography

August Wilson, born Frederick August Kittel Jr., was an acclaimed American playwright renowned for his epic ten-part series, The Pittsburgh Cycle, which chronicled the African-American experience in the 20th century. Born on April 27, 1945, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Wilson’s early life was marked by the racial tensions and economic hardships that would later be reflected in his work. He dropped out of school at 15 but continued his education at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh where he spent long hours reading and writing. Wilson’s career truly began to flourish in the early 1980s with the premiere of his play “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” in 1984. This was followed by a series of successful plays including “Fences” (1985), “The Piano Lesson” (1987), and “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” (1984). His work earned him numerous accolades including two Pulitzer Prizes for Drama, a Tony Award, and numerous others. Wilson’s plays addressed the complexities of African-American life, exploring themes of identity, migration, and the impact of historical events on personal lives. August Wilson passed away on October 2, 2005, but his legacy continues to influence and inspire the world of theater and beyond.

5 Interesting Facts about August Wilson

1. August Wilson won two Pulitzer Prizes for Drama, for “Fences” in 1987 and “The Piano Lesson” in 1990.

2. He dropped out of high school at the age of 15 after being accused of plagiarism, but he continued his education independently at the local library.

3. Wilson co-founded the Black Horizon Theater in Pittsburgh in the late 1960s, which was instrumental in cultivating his early career as a playwright.

4. His Pittsburgh Cycle includes ten plays, each set in a different decade of the 20th century, providing a comprehensive look at the African-American experience over 100 years.

5. In 2006, the Virginia Theatre in New York City was renamed the August Wilson Theatre, making him one of the few African-Americans to have a Broadway theater named in their honor.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from August Wilson

1. “I think my plays offer (white Americans) a different way to look at black Americans.”

2. “Confront the dark parts of yourself, and work to banish them with illumination and forgiveness.”

3. “All you need in the world is love and laughter. That’s all anybody needs. To have love in one hand and laughter in the other.”

4. “I wanted to place this culture on stage in all its richness and fullness and to demonstrate its ability to sustain us in all areas of human life and endeavor.”

5. “The more you engage in the work, the more there is in you. It’s the process of opening oneself up to the work that you say, ‘This is me. I’m not sure what it means, but this is me.’”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by August Wilson was estimated to be around $5 million at the time of his death.

Children

August Wilson had two daughters from his two marriages. His first daughter, Sakina Ansari-Wilson, was born from his marriage to Brenda Burton. His second daughter, Azula Carmen Wilson, was born from his marriage to costume designer Constanza Romero.