Date of Birth: May 22, 1927
Zodiac Sign: Gemini
Date of Death: April 5, 2014
Biography
Peter Matthiessen was an acclaimed American writer, naturalist, and wilderness advocate. Born in New York City, Matthiessen co-founded The Paris Review in 1953, a literary magazine that became a pivotal platform for many notable writers. His diverse body of work includes both fiction and non-fiction, often exploring themes of nature, spirituality, and human rights. Matthiessen’s non-fiction books such as “The Snow Leopard,” which won the National Book Award, reflect his deep commitment to environmentalism and his passion for Zen Buddhism. His fiction works, like the “Watson Trilogy,” delve into the complexities of American history and culture. Over his career, Matthiessen received numerous accolades, including the National Book Award for both fiction and non-fiction, making him the only writer to have achieved this distinction.
5 Interesting Facts about Peter Matthiessen
1. Peter Matthiessen was a CIA agent early in his career, using his position as a cover while co-founding The Paris Review.
2. He practiced Zen Buddhism for much of his life and was ordained as a Zen priest.
3. Matthiessen’s book “The Snow Leopard” is considered a classic of modern nature writing and details his journey through the Himalayas.
4. He won the National Book Award for both fiction (for “Shadow Country”) and non-fiction (for “The Snow Leopard”).
5. He was a passionate environmentalist and co-founded the literary journal devoted to conservation called “On the Wild.”
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Peter Matthiessen
1. “In fiction, you can be more honest than you can in life.”
2. “There is only one place to find real peace, real harmony. And that place is within.”
3. “The secret of the mountains is that the mountains simply exist, as I do myself: the mountains exist simply, which I do not.”
4. “The purpose of life is to see.”
5. “A man who would confront his own mortality must be a man who has faced the reality of life.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Peter Matthiessen’s net worth was estimated to be around $5 million.
Children
Peter Matthiessen had three children: – Peter Matthiessen Jr. – Lucas Matthiessen – Carey Matthiessen
Relevant Links
2. [The Paris Review – History](https://www.theparisreview.org/about/history
5. [National Book Foundation Profile](https://www.nationalbook.org/people/peter-matthiessen/
