Tom wolfe biography wikipedia

Thomas Kennerly Wolfe Jr. March 2, — May 14, [ a ] was an American author and journalist widely known for his association with New Journalism , a style of news writing and journalism developed in the s and s that incorporated literary techniques. Much of Wolfe's work is satirical and centres on the counterculture of the s and issues related to class , social status , and the lifestyles of the economic and intellectual elites of New York City.

In , he published the influential book The Right Stuff about the Mercury Seven astronauts, which was made into a film of the same name directed by Philip Kaufman. His first novel, The Bonfire of the Vanities , published in , was met with critical acclaim and also became a commercial success. Its adaptation as a motion picture of the same name, directed by Brian De Palma , was released in He recounted childhood memories in a foreword to a book [ which?

He was student council president, editor of the school newspaper, and a star baseball player at St. Christopher's School , an Episcopal all-boys school in Richmond.

Thomas wolfe children

Upon graduation in , he turned down admission to Princeton University to attend Washington and Lee University. He majored in English, was sports editor of the college newspaper, and helped found a literary magazine, Shenandoah, giving him opportunities to practice his writing both inside and outside the classroom. More in the tradition of anthropology than literary scholarship, Fishwick taught his students to look at the whole of a culture, including those elements considered profane.

Wolfe's undergraduate thesis, entitled "A Zoo Full of Zebras: Anti-Intellectualism in America," evinced his fondness for words and aspirations toward cultural criticism. Wolfe graduated cum laude in While still in college, Wolfe continued playing baseball as a pitcher and began to play semi-professionally. In , he earned a tryout with the New York Giants , but was cut after three days, [ 2 ] which he blamed on his inability to throw good fastballs.