Date of Birth: March 13, 1892
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Date of Death: November 7, 1978
Biography
Janet Flanner was a distinguished American journalist and writer, best known for her influential “Letter from Paris” columns in The New Yorker, which she wrote under the pseudonym “Genêt.” Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, Flanner’s career spanned several significant historical periods, including the roaring twenties, World War II, and the post-war era. Educated at the University of Chicago, she moved to Paris in 1921, where she became a key figure in the expatriate community of artists and writers. Flanner’s writing captured the essence of Parisian life and provided insightful commentary on political and cultural events. Throughout her career, Flanner covered a range of topics, from art and literature to politics and social issues. Her work was known for its sharp wit, keen observation, and elegant prose. She reported on the rise of fascism in Europe, the Spanish Civil War, and the liberation of Paris, bringing these crucial events to her American audience with clarity and depth. Janet Flanner remained in Paris for most of her life, only returning to the United States during World War II. Her contributions to journalism were recognized with multiple awards, including the National Book Foundation’s Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters.
5 Interesting Facts about Janet Flanner
1. Janet Flanner used the pseudonym “Genêt” for her “Letter from Paris” columns in The New Yorker.
2. She was part of the famous American expatriate community in Paris that included Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Gertrude Stein.
3. Flanner was a close friend of the famous photographer Berenice Abbott and the writer Solita Solano.
4. Her first book, “The Cubical City,” was published in 1926 and depicted the lives of young women in New York City.
5. Flanner covered the Nuremberg Trials, providing detailed accounts of the proceedings to her readers.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Janet Flanner
1. “The American landscape has no foreground and the American mind no background.”
2. “Genius is immediate, but talent takes time.”
3. “Paris, as anyone who has ever visited knows, is a city of light. It is also a city of shadows.”
4. “I act as a sponge. I soak it up and squeeze it out in ink every two weeks.”
5. “The Eiffel Tower is the Empire State Building after taxes.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Janet Flanner’s highest net worth is not well-documented, but as a successful journalist for The New Yorker, she earned a comfortable living.
Children
Janet Flanner did not have any children.
Relevant Links
1. [Biography of Janet Flanner](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Janet-Flanner
2. [Janet Flanner’s Works at The New Yorker](https://www.newyorker.com/contributors/janet-flanner
3. [Profile on the National Book Foundation](https://www.nationalbook.org/people/janet-flanner/