Date of Birth: May 8, 1895
Zodiac Sign: Taurus
Date of Death: June 12, 1972
Biography
Edmund Wilson (May 8, 1895 – June 12, 1972) was a prominent American literary critic and essayist, renowned for his incisive commentary and broad literary knowledge. Born in Red Bank, New Jersey, Wilson was educated at Princeton University, where he graduated in 1916. He began his career as a reporter for the New York Sun and later worked for Vanity Fair, where he became managing editor. Wilson’s work was instrumental in introducing American readers to European literary movements and figures, such as Marcel Proust, James Joyce, and the modernist poets. His critical writings, including seminal works like “Axel’s Castle” (1931) and “To the Finland Station” (1940), are still revered for their depth and insight. Throughout his career, Wilson contributed to several esteemed publications, including The New Republic, The New Yorker, and The New York Review of Books. His friendships with literary giants like F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway further cemented his influence in the literary world.
5 Interesting Facts about Edmund Wilson
1. Edmund Wilson was a classmate of F. Scott Fitzgerald at Princeton University and later became a close friend and literary advisor to him.
2. His book “To the Finland Station” (1940) is a study of the thinkers and activists who led up to the Russian Revolution, from Michelet to Lenin.
3. Wilson was an early advocate of the works of Vladimir Nabokov, though their relationship later soured.
4. He declined the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1964, citing his opposition to the Vietnam War.
5. Wilson’s personal library, amassed over his lifetime, was donated to the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library at Yale University.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Edmund Wilson
1. “No two persons ever read the same book.”
2. “The product of the scientific imagination is a new vision of relations – like that of artistic imagination.”
3. “There is nothing more demoralizing than a small but adequate income.”
4. “Marxism is the opium of the intellectuals.”
5. “We are all in the same boat, in a stormy sea, and we owe each other a terrible loyalty.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
The highest net worth achieved by Edmund Wilson is estimated to have been around $1 million.
Children
Edmund Wilson had three children: Rosalind Wilson, Reuel Wilson, and Helen Miranda Wilson. His daughter, Helen Miranda Wilson, is a noted painter.
Relevant Links
1. [Edmund Wilson – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmund_Wilson
4. [The New Yorker Archives – Edmund Wilson](https://www.newyorker.com/contributors/edmund-wilson
