Wilder, Thornton Niven

Wilder, Thornton Niven
(1897-1975)
   Thornton Wilder was educated at Oberlin College and Yale University and was awarded an M.A. in French literature from Princeton in 1926. Wilder served in the Coast Guard during World War I. He taught French and English at Lawrenceville School and at the University of Chicago from 1930 to 1937. As a writer, he used myth and allegory to explore the meaning of life and the themes of love and tolerance. His best-known book, The Bridge of San Luis Rey (1927), won a Pulitzer Prize, as did Heaven’s My Destination (1935) and the plays Our Town (1938) and The Skin of Our Teeth (1942). Wilder enlisted during World War II, served in the air force, and was awarded the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star. In the 1950s, he held a chair in poetry at Harvard University and was awarded the National Medal for Literature in 1962. His comedy, The Matchmaker (1954), was successfully turned into the film musical Hello, Dolly! in 1969. Wilder continued to write until his death. His last book, Theophilus North, was published in 1973.
   See also Literature and theater.

Historical Dictionary of the Roosevelt–Truman Era . . 2015.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Wilder, Thornton (Niven) — Wilder, Thornton (Niven). 1897 1975. American writer whose works include novels, such as The Bridge of San Luis Rey (1927), and the theatrically innovative drama Our Town (1938). * * * born April 17, 1897, Madison, Wis., U.S. died Dec. 7, 1975,… …   Universalium

  • Wilder, Thornton (Niven) — (17 abr. 1897, Madison, Wis., EE.UU.–7 dic. 1975, Hamden, Conn.). Dramaturgo y novelista estadounidense. Estudió arqueología en la Universidad de Yale, y posteriormente en Roma. Fue muy elogiado por su segunda novela, El puente de San Luis Rey… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Wilder, Thornton — ▪ American writer in full  Thornton Niven Wilder  born April 17, 1897, Madison, Wis., U.S. died Dec. 7, 1975, Hamden, Conn.       American writer, whose innovative novels and plays reflect his views of the universal truths in human nature. He is… …   Universalium

  • Thornton Niven Wilder — noun United States writer and dramatist (1897 1975) • Syn: ↑Wilder, ↑Thornton Wilder • Instance Hypernyms: ↑writer, ↑author, ↑dramatist, ↑playwright …   Useful english dictionary

  • Wilder — Wilder, Billy Wilder, Thornton * * * (as used in expressions) Wilder, Billy Samuel Wilder Wilder, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Thornton (Niven) …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Wilder — /wuyl deuhr/, n. 1. Billy (Samuel Wilder), born 1906, U.S. film director, producer, and writer; born in Austria. 2. Laura Ingalls /ing geuhlz/, 1867 1957, U.S. writer of children s books. 3. Thornton (Niven) /thawrn tn niv euhn/, 1897 1975, U.S.… …   Universalium

  • Thornton Wilder — noun United States writer and dramatist (1897 1975) • Syn: ↑Wilder, ↑Thornton Niven Wilder • Instance Hypernyms: ↑writer, ↑author, ↑dramatist, ↑playwright * * * …   Useful english dictionary

  • wilder — wilder1 wilderment, n. /wil deuhr/, Archaic. v.t. 1. to cause to lose one s way. 2. to bewilder. v.i. 3. to lose one s way. 4. to be bewildered. [1605 15; perh. extracted from WILDERNESS; intrans. use prob. by assoc. with WANDER] …   Universalium

  • Thornton — /thawrn tn/, n. 1. William, 1759 1828, U.S. architect, born in the British Virgin Islands. 2. a town in NE Colorado. 40,343. 3. a male given name. * * * (as used in expressions) Burgess Thornton Waldo Chandler Raymond Thornton Wilder Thornton… …   Universalium

  • Thornton — (as used in expressions) Burgess, Thornton W(aldo) Chandler, Raymond (Thornton) Wilder, Thornton (Niven) …   Enciclopedia Universal

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”