William H. Gass

Date of Birth: July 30, 1924

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Date of Death: December 6, 2017

Biography

William H. Gass was an acclaimed American novelist, short story writer, essayist, critic, and philosophy professor. Born in Fargo, North Dakota, Gass spent much of his early life moving around due to his father’s career as a construction engineer. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from Kenyon College and a Ph.D. in philosophy from Cornell University. His literary career began in earnest with the publication of his first novel, “Omensetter’s Luck,” in 1966, which was met with critical acclaim. Gass was known for his inventive use of language and dense, complex prose. Over the years, he published numerous works, including novels, collections of stories, and essays. His notable works include “In the Heart of the Heart of the Country” (1968), “The Tunnel” (1995), and “Middle C” (2013). Gass received numerous awards throughout his career, including the American Book Award, the PEN/Nabokov Lifetime Achievement Award, and several Pushcart Prizes. He also taught for many years at Washington University in St. Louis, where he was a beloved and influential figure.

5 Interesting Facts about William H. Gass

1. William H. Gass was also a trained philosopher, having earned his Ph.D. in philosophy from Cornell University.

2. His novel “The Tunnel” took 26 years to complete and is often considered his magnum opus.

3. Gass was a prolific essayist, and his essay collections are highly regarded for their intellectual depth and stylistic brilliance.

4. He was a pioneer of metafiction, a style of writing that self-consciously addresses the devices of fiction.

5. Gass served in the U.S. Navy during World War II before pursuing his academic and literary careers.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from William H. Gass

1. “The true alchemists do not change lead into gold; they change the world into words.”

2. “Words are the weapons of the wit.”

3. “The writer’s life is a long, lonely process, and it is easy to be discouraged by the lack of immediate rewards.”

4. “Life is itself exile, and its inevitability does not lessen our grief or alter the fact.”

5. “We do not remember days, we remember moments.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

William H. Gass’s highest net worth was never publicly disclosed, but it is believed to have been modest, primarily derived from his academic salary, book sales, and literary awards.

Children

William H. Gass had two children. He and his wife, Mary Henderson Gass, had a son and a daughter, although detailed information about them is relatively private.