Flannery O’Connor

Date of Birth: March 25, 1925

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: August 3, 1964

Biography

Flannery O’Connor, born Mary Flannery O’Connor, was an American novelist, short story writer, and essayist, renowned for her distinctive Southern Gothic style and profound exploration of morality and ethics. She was born on March 25, 1925, in Savannah, Georgia. O’Connor’s works often feature grotesque characters and are deeply rooted in her Roman Catholic faith, which profoundly influenced her narratives and thematic concerns. O’Connor moved with her family to Milledgeville, Georgia, in 1938 following her father’s diagnosis of lupus, a disease that would later claim his life. She graduated from Georgia State College for Women in 1945 and went on to study at the prestigious Iowa Writers’ Workshop, where she honed her craft and began to gain recognition for her unique voice. Her first novel, “Wise Blood,” published in 1952, received critical acclaim for its dark humor and complex exploration of faith. O’Connor’s second novel, “The Violent Bear It Away,” published in 1960, further established her reputation as a significant literary figure. However, it is her short stories that are often considered her masterpiece. Collections like “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” (1955) and “Everything That Rises Must Converge” (1965) showcase her ability to blend the grotesque with the sublime, challenging readers to confront the complexities of human nature and divine grace. O’Connor lived much of her life on Andalusia Farm in Milledgeville, where she continued to write despite suffering from lupus, the same disease that had taken her father. She passed away on August 3, 1964, at the age of 39, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence writers and readers alike.

5 Interesting Facts about Flannery O’Connor

1. Flannery O’Connor raised peacocks at her family farm, Andalusia, and often mentioned them in her personal letters.

2. Despite her relatively short life, O’Connor produced two novels and 32 short stories, along with numerous essays and reviews.

3. O’Connor won several prestigious awards posthumously, including the National Book Award for Fiction in 1972 for her collected short stories.

4. Her correspondence with friends and fellow writers, published posthumously as “The Habit of Being,” offers deep insights into her thoughts on writing, faith, and life.

5. O’Connor’s work is often studied for its deep theological themes, particularly its exploration of grace, redemption, and the human condition.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Flannery O’Connor

1. “The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it.”

2. “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you odd.”

3. “I write to discover what I know.”

4. “To expect too much is to have a sentimental view of life and this is a softness that ends in bitterness.”

5. “The writer should never be ashamed of staring. There is nothing that does not require his attention.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Flannery O’Connor did not achieve significant financial wealth during her lifetime. Her highest net worth is not well documented but is generally considered modest, as she lived a relatively simple life on her family farm.