William Faulkner was an American novelist born on September 25, 1897 in New Albany, Mississippi. As a child, he was influenced by his mother to become an avid reader and writer. She introduced him to classic novels at an early age and instilled in him a love for learning. Although he appeared as an exceptionally bright child, Faulkner began to struggle academically once he reached his teenage years. He never graduated from high school, but he went on to attend the University of Mississippi and Yale University to study literature. His first foray into the literary scene began with the publication of his debut novel, Soldiers’ Pay, in 1925.
In 1938, Faulkner released a fiction book entitled The Unvanquished, which tells the story of the Sartoris family during the time of the Civil War and Reconstruction. The Sartoris kin holds steadfast to Southern values, but as the Union nears victory in the so-designated War Between the States, they prepare to cope with their impending loss. This novel details the Civil War from an unusual perspective and sheds light on families of the Confederacy.
Upon its publication, The Unvanquished received positive reviews for its unique take on a significant time in American history. However, it is far from being one of Faulkner’s better-known works. His more popular pieces include The Sound and the Fury, A Rose for Emily, and As I Lay Dying. In his career, Faulkner would go on to win the 1949 Nobel Prize for Literature and the 1955 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. His illustrious literary career was cut short when he died on July 6, 1962 at age 64.
