Peter De Vries

Date of Birth: February 27, 1910

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: September 28, 1993

Biography

Peter De Vries was an American editor and novelist known for his satirical wit and literary sophistication. Born in Chicago to Dutch immigrant parents, De Vries grew up in a strict Calvinist environment, which provided much material for his later works. After graduating from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he worked as an editor for Poetry magazine and later joined the staff of The New Yorker, where he remained for many years. De Vries published numerous novels, short stories, and essays, many of which explored themes of religion, existential despair, and the absurdities of modern life. His most famous works include “The Blood of the Lamb” and “Slouching Towards Kalamazoo,” which garnered critical acclaim for their humor and philosophical depth.

5 Interesting Facts about Peter De Vries

1. Peter De Vries was a lifelong baseball fan and often incorporated the sport into his fiction.

2. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, an experience that influenced some of his later writings.

3. De Vries was known for his prolific output, often publishing a novel almost every year during the peak of his career.

4. His novel “The Tunnel of Love” was adapted into a successful Broadway play and later a film starring Doris Day and Richard Widmark.

5. Despite his satirical style, De Vries grappled with serious themes such as faith, loss, and the human condition, particularly in his semi-autobiographical novel “The Blood of the Lamb.”

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Peter De Vries

1. “I write when I’m inspired, and I see to it that I’m inspired at nine o’clock every morning.”

2. “The difficulty with marriage is that we fall in love with a personality, but must live with a character.”

3. “Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be.”

4. “Life is a zoo in a jungle.”

5. “Confession is good for the soul only in the sense that a tweed coat is good for dandruff.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Peter De Vries’ highest net worth is estimated to have been around $1 million, considering the value of his literary works and adaptations.

Children

Peter De Vries had four children: Derek, Jan, Jon, and Emily. His family life often provided material for his fiction, particularly in exploring the dynamics of parenthood and marriage.