Date of Birth: October 11, 1930
Zodiac Sign: Libra
Date of Death: May 31, 1995
Biography
Stanley Elkin was an American novelist, essayist, and short story writer, recognized for his satirical and comedic style. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Elkin moved to Chicago with his family during his youth. He attended the University of Illinois where he obtained his Bachelor’s and then went on to earn a Master’s degree, and a Ph.D. in English. Elkin’s writing career took off in the 1960s with his first novel, “Boswell: A Modern Comedy,” and he became known for his unique narrative voice and his use of humor to explore the human condition. Over the years, he published numerous novels, short stories, and essays, garnering multiple literary awards, including the National Book Critics Circle Award. Elkin was also a dedicated teacher, spending much of his career as a professor of English at Washington University in St. Louis.
5 Interesting Facts about Stanley Elkin
1. Stanley Elkin was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1972, a condition that influenced both his life and his writing.
2. He won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction twice, in 1982 for “George Mills” and in 1995 for “Mrs. Ted Bliss.”
3. Elkin’s novel “The Dick Gibson Show” was nominated for the National Book Award.
4. He was known for his baroque prose style and often infused his works with dark humor.
5. Elkin was a close friend of fellow writer William Gass, and their correspondence is a significant part of his literary legacy.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Stanley Elkin
1. “I am a comic writer because I believe comedy is so much more important than tragedy.”
2. “The writer’s only responsibility is to his art. He will be completely ruthless if he is a good one.”
3. “I believe in the power of words to change things, to make things happen.”
4. “Life is chaos, and chaos is fun.”
5. “Fiction is an act of willfulness, a deliberate effort to impose oneself upon reality.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Stanley Elkin’s highest net worth was estimated to be around $1 million at the peak of his career.
Children
Stanley Elkin and his wife Joan had two children: sons Philip and Benjamin Elkin.
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