Origins & Early Life

Jonathan Earl Franzen (born August 17, 1959) is an American novelist and essayist. His 2001 novel The Corrections drew widespread critical acclaim, earned Franzen a National Book Award, was a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction finalist, earned a James Tait Black Memorial Prize, and was shortlisted for the International Dublin Literary Award. His novel Freedom (2010) garnered similar praise and led to an appearance on the cover of Time magazine alongside the headline "Great American Novelist". Franzen's latest novel Crossroads was published in 2021, and is the first in a projected trilogy.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Franzen has contributed to The New Yorker magazine since 1994. His 1996 Harper's essay "Perchance to Dream" bemoaned the state of contemporary literature. Oprah Winfrey's book club selection in 2001 of The Corrections led to a much publicized feud with the talk show host. Franzen was born in Western Springs, Illinois, the son of Irene (née Super) and Earl T. Franzen.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

His father, raised in Minnesota, was the son of a Swedish immigrant; his mother's ancestry was Eastern European. Franzen grew up in an affluent neighborhood in the St. Louis suburb of Webster Groves, Missouri, and...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Ahlam Mosteghanemi — Contemporary (Born in 1959) (1959): Pioneering Algerian poet and novelist celebrated for her evocative Arabic literature.
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• Chaleo Yoovidhya — Shared historical date (08-17 · Born) (1923): Pioneering Thai entrepreneur, originator of Krating Daeng and Red Bull.
• David Koresh — Shared historical date (08-17 · Born) (1959): American cult leader and preacher, central figure in the 1993 Waco siege.
• Babyface (musician) — Historical peer (Born in 1959) (1959): Award-winning R&B singer, songwriter, and producer known for his smooth vocals.
• Barthélemy Boganda — Historical peer (Died in 1959) (1959): Pioneering Central African politician and independence activist.
• Aaliyah — Historical peer (Died in 2001) (2001): Pioneering R&B artist known for redefining urban pop and hip hop sounds.
• Ahmad Shah Massoud — Historical peer (Died in 2001) (2001): Afghan military leader, known as the "Lion of Panjshir", fought against foreign occupations.
• Ali Hassan al-Majid — Historical peer (Died in 2010) (2010): Notorious Iraqi military figure, cousin of Saddam Hussein, known for brutal repression.
• 1959 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1959
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