George W. S. Trow

Date of Birth: September 28, 1943

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: November 24, 2006

Biography

George W. S. Trow was an American writer, novelist, and cultural critic, best known for his insightful and often acerbic commentaries on American culture and media. Born on September 28, 1943, in Greenwich, Connecticut, Trow was a prominent figure in the literary world, particularly noted for his long association with The New Yorker magazine, where he worked as a staff writer. His most famous work, “Within the Context of No Context,” published in 1980, is a seminal critique of television and its impact on American society. Trow was also a playwright and a novelist, and his works often explored themes of media, culture, and the fragmentation of modern life. He was educated at Phillips Exeter Academy and Harvard University, where he developed his distinctive voice and analytical approach. Trow passed away on November 24, 2006, in Naples, Italy, where he had moved in his later years.

5 Interesting Facts about George W. S. Trow

1. George W. S. Trow was a staff writer for The New Yorker for over 30 years.

2. His work “Within the Context of No Context” is considered a critical examination of the role of television in American culture.

3. He was a Harvard University graduate and a contemporary of notable figures such as Joe McGinniss and John Updike.

4. Trow was also a playwright; his play “Prison-Made Tuxedos” was produced by the American Place Theatre.

5. He spent his final years living in Naples, Italy, where he continued to write and reflect on cultural issues.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from George W. S. Trow

1. “The context that people see on television is the context that they accept as reality.”

2. “Television is the force of no-history, and it holds the archives of the history that never happened.”

3. “In the world of television, people are not responsible for their own stories.”

4. “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”

5. “The fragmentation of our culture is the result of the fragmentation of our attention.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the height of his career, George W. S. Trow’s net worth was estimated to be around $1 million, primarily from his work with The New Yorker and his published books.

Children

George W. S. Trow did not have any children. He was known to keep a relatively private personal life, focusing extensively on his work and cultural criticism.