Origins & Early Life

Arch Colson Chipp Whitehead (born November 6, 1969) is an American novelist. He is the author of ten novels, including his 1999 debut The Intuitionist; The Underground Railroad (2016), for which he won the 2016 National Book Award for Fiction and the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction; and The Nickel Boys, for which he won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction again in 2020, making him one of only four writers ever to win the prize twice. He has also published two books of nonfiction. In 2002, he received a MacArthur Fellowship.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Whitehead was born in New York City on November 6, 1969, and grew up in Manhattan, New York. He is one of four children of successful entrepreneur parents, Arch and Mary Anne Whitehead, who owned an executive recruiting firm. As a child, Whitehead went by his first name, Arch. He later switched to Chipp, before switching to Colson. He attended Trinity School in New York City, New York.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

He graduated from Harvard University in 1991, where he studied English and Comparative Literature. In college, he became friends with poet Kevin Young. After graduating from college, Whitehead wrote for The Village Voice. While working at the...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Adam Gilchrist — Contemporary (Born in 1969) (1969): Legendary Australian cricketer, redefining the wicket-keeper-batsman role with aggressive flair.
• Adrian Goldsworthy — Contemporary (Born in 1969) (1969): Prominent British historian specializing in the military aspects of Roman antiquity.
• Ali Daei — Contemporary (Born in 1969) (1969): Legendary Iranian striker, celebrated for his prolific goal-scoring record in Asian football.
• Alfred F. Young — Shared historical date (11-06 · Died) (2012): Pioneering American historian of the Revolution and working-class social history.
• Erich Raeder — Shared historical date (11-06 · Died) (1960): German Admiral who commanded the Kriegsmarine during WWII and was later tried for war crimes.
• Badly Drawn Boy — Historical peer (Born in 1969) (1969): English indie singer-songwriter known by the stage name Badly Drawn Boy.
• Beau Biden — Historical peer (Born in 1969) (1969): American politician, lawyer, and Delaware Attorney General, known for his family ties to the Biden presidency.
• Akio Morita — Historical peer (Died in 1999) (1999): Visionary Japanese entrepreneur and co-founder of Sony.
• Anthony Newley — Historical peer (Died in 1999) (1999): Versatile English performer, celebrated for his songwriting and stage presence.
• Abbas Kiarostami — Historical peer (Died in 2016) (2016): Master Iranian filmmaker known for blending fiction and documentary styles.
• 1969 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1969
• November 6 (11-06) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on November 6