Date of Birth: March 18, 1932
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Date of Death: January 27, 2009
Biography
John Updike was an acclaimed American novelist, poet, short story writer, and literary critic, widely recognized for his prolific output and distinctive prose style. Born in Reading, Pennsylvania, and raised in the nearby town of Shillington, Updike showed an early interest in literature and art. He attended Harvard University, where he majored in English and contributed to the Harvard Lampoon. Following his graduation, he spent a year at the Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art in Oxford, England, before joining The New Yorker as a staff writer. Updike’s literary career took off with the publication of his first novel, “The Poorhouse Fair,” in 1959. However, it was his “Rabbit” series, beginning with “Rabbit, Run” in 1960, that cemented his reputation as one of America’s leading novelists. The series chronicles the life of Harry “Rabbit” Angstrom over several decades, capturing the changing social and cultural landscape of America. Updike’s other notable works include “The Witches of Eastwick,” “Couples,” and “In the Beauty of the Lilies.” Throughout his career, Updike received numerous accolades, including two Pulitzer Prizes for Fiction. His writing is celebrated for its lyrical style, keen observations of everyday life, and exploration of complex moral and personal issues.
5 Interesting Facts about John Updike
1. John Updike won two Pulitzer Prizes for Fiction for “Rabbit Is Rich” (1982) and “Rabbit at Rest” (1990).
2. Updike was a regular contributor to The New Yorker, publishing stories, poems, and criticism in the magazine for over five decades.
3. He was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1989.
4. Updike was known for his prolific output, publishing over 20 novels, numerous short story collections, essays, and poetry.
5. His novel “The Witches of Eastwick” was adapted into a popular film starring Jack Nicholson, Cher, Susan Sarandon, and Michelle Pfeiffer.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from John Updike
1. “The true New Yorker secretly believes that people living anywhere else have to be, in some sense, kidding.”
2. “We are most alive when we’re in love.”
3. “Dreams come true; without that possibility, nature would not incite us to have them.”
4. “What art offers is space – a certain breathing room for the spirit.”
5. “Celebrity is a mask that eats into the face.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, John Updike’s net worth was estimated to be around $20 million.
Children
John Updike had four children with his first wife, Mary E. Pennington: David, Michael, Miranda, and Elizabeth. He also had three grandchildren.
Relevant Links
2. [John Updike – The New Yorker](https://www.newyorker.com/contributors/john-updike
3. [John Updike – Poetry Foundation](https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/john-updike
5. [John Updike – National Endowment for the Arts](https://www.arts.gov/honors/medals/john-updike
