Sloan Wilson

Date of Birth: May 8, 1920

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: May 25, 2003

Biography

Sloan Wilson was an American novelist best known for his works that explore post-World War II American life and the corporate world. Born on May 8, 1920, in Norwalk, Connecticut, Wilson’s literary career was marked by his incisive critique of societal norms and the struggles of the individual within the system. He attended Harvard University and served in World War II as a member of the United States Coast Guard, experiences that deeply influenced his writing. His most famous work, “The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit,” published in 1955, became a cultural touchstone, highlighting the existential angst of the American middle class. Wilson wrote several other novels, including “A Summer Place” and “All the Best People,” as well as non-fiction works. He passed away on May 25, 2003, leaving behind a legacy of thought-provoking literature.

5 Interesting Facts about Sloan Wilson

1. Sloan Wilson served as a lieutenant in the United States Coast Guard during World War II.

2. His novel “The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit” was adapted into a successful film in 1956, starring Gregory Peck.

3. Wilson’s work often dealt with themes of corporate life, personal integrity, and the American Dream.

4. He struggled with alcoholism for much of his life but eventually overcame it.

5. Wilson wrote a sequel to “The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit” titled “The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit II,” which was published in 1984.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Sloan Wilson

1. “The trouble with life is that we lead it forward and understand it backward.”

2. “Flattery is like cologne water, to be smelt, not swallowed.”

3. “The problem with most people is that they think with their hopes or fears or wishes rather than with their minds.”

4. “When you cannot make up your mind which of two evenly balanced courses of action you should take, choose the bolder.”

5. “Integrity simply means a willingness not to violate one’s identity.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Sloan Wilson’s net worth was estimated to be around $5 million, largely due to the success of his novels and their adaptations.