Profession: Writer
Biography: Kurt Vonnegut is best known for his satirical novels and dark humor. He wrote about war, society, and human nature.
Vonnegut grew up in Indianapolis during the Great Depression. He studied at Cornell University but left to join the U.S. Army during World War II. In 1944, he was captured by German forces and held as a prisoner of war.
While imprisoned, Vonnegut survived the bombing of Dresden by hiding in a meat locker. This experience deeply influenced his writing. After the war, he worked various jobs while trying to establish himself as an author.
Vonnegut's first novel, "Player Piano" (1952), explored the effects of automation on society. He continued writing but struggled to gain recognition. His breakthrough came with "Slaughterhouse-Five" (1969), a semi-autobiographical novel about the Dresden bombing.
"Slaughterhouse-Five" became a bestseller and made Vonnegut famous. He went on to write several more novels, including "Breakfast of Champions" (1973) and "Cat's Cradle" (1963). His books often mixed science fiction elements with social commentary.
Throughout his life, Vonnegut dealt with depression and family challenges. He was an outspoken humanist and critic of war. His unique writing style and ideas made him popular with the counterculture movement of the 1960s and 1970s.
Vonnegut continued writing and speaking publicly until his death in 2007.
Born: November 11, 1922
Birthplace: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Generation: Greatest Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Dog
Star Sign: Scorpio
Died: April 11, 2007 (aged 84)
Cause of Death: Head trauma
Career Highlights
- 1969-03-31 The NY Times reviews "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut on its publication, saying "you'll either love it, or push it back in the science-fiction corner"
Personal Life
- 1945-09-01 Author Kurt Vonnegut Jr. (23) weds childhood sweetheart Jane Marie Cox
- 1979-11-24 Author Kurt Vonnegut Jr. (57) weds photographer Jill Krementz (39)
Quotes by Kurt Vonnegut
- "We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful what we pretend to be."
References
Famous Authors
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