Born on June 11, 1925, William Styron hailed from Newport News, Virginia. His family had deep southern roots reaching back to the 1600s, and he was raised amidst Civil War tales. Although Styron grew up in a racially segregated community in Hilton Village, he was surrounded by stories that would later influence his writing.

Early Life and Education

Styron's father worked in shipbuilding, while his mother, stricken by cancer shortly after his birth, sadly passed away when he was just in his sophomore year at Morrison High School. During this time, he also published his first, now-lost, story in the school newspaper. As an active student, he held leadership positions such as class president and football team manager, but his teachers believed he needed more discipline. This led to him attending Christchurch School, an Episcopal preparatory school in Virginia, where he found a nurturing environment conducive to his budding interest in writing.

College Years and Military Service

In 1942, Styron enrolled at Davidson College, where he began shedding his Tidewater accent to avoid ridicule from peers. His father had initially steered him away from the University of Virginia, fearing the influence of its notorious drinking culture. Styron became involved with the college newspaper and literary magazine but didn’t take to academics, leading to his enlistment in the Navy. He expected officer training but was instead transferred to Duke University under military discipline, where he continued his studies but was eventually put on active duty.

Developing as a Writer

World War II ended without him seeing combat, allowing Styron to return to Duke’s postwar campus in 1946, a period that marked his growth as a writer. Encouraged by teachers, he began publishing stories in the college magazine and attended writers’ conferences. His time at Duke helped hone his skills and prepare him for his future literary pursuits.

Early Career in New York

In 1947, Styron moved to New York City and took a job at McGraw-Hill as an editor, a job he didn’t hold for long due to his lack of dedication. It was during this period that he developed his first novel, Lie Down in Darkness, a project characterized by his slow pace and bouts of writer’s block. The novel eventually took shape in various locations including Durham, Brooklyn, and upstate New York.

Military Recall and Literary Success

Styron’s time in the military during the Korean War inspired his novella The Long March. His first novel received critical acclaim, marking him as a successor to the revered William Faulkner. Around this time, he also met Rose Burgender, who would become his wife, and traveled through Europe, all while working on new literary projects, including an unfinished novella and what would become Set This House on Fire.

A Controversial Yet Celebrated Author

By 1953, Styron had settled in Roxbury, Connecticut, marrying Rose and starting a family. He garnered attention not only for his fiction but also for his nonfiction writing. His novel The Confessions of Nat Turner, published in 1967, portrayed a slave’s experience with bold narrative choices, sparking both acclaim and controversy. Despite the criticism, it won the Pulitzer Prize in 1968, further establishing his reputation.

Later Works and Personal Struggles

Styron's next major work, Sophie’s Choice, delved into the horrors of the Holocaust, once again drawing both praise and criticism for his daring exploration of difficult subjects. Meanwhile, he continued to work on projects inspired by his military experiences. Despite professional triumphs, Styron faced personal battles, including a severe depression in 1985, which he candidly recounted in an essay published by Vanity Fair and later expanded into the book Darkness Visible, achieving both critical acclaim and commercial success.

Legacy and Death

Styron left a profound impact on American literature through his exploration of human suffering and complex historical themes. He continued to write and engage with readers until his passing in 2006 at the age of 81 on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. His works remain a testament to his talent and willingness to tackle challenging topics with depth and empathy.