Edward Abbey is a renowned American author of fiction, known for his advocacy of environmental issues and criticism of public land policies. He was born in Home, Pennsylvania, in 1927 and passed away in 1989. At the young age of seventeen, Abbey embarked on a journey to explore the American Southwest, relying on the kindness of strangers and freight trains to make his way around the country.
Abbey's experiences during his time as a park ranger and fire lookout for the National Park Service in the Southwest significantly influenced his writing. His work reflects his deep love for nature and extreme distrust of the industrial world. During his service, he had the opportunity to closely observe the ancient Native American cultures and the expansion and destruction of modern civilization. This exposure further solidified his environmentalist views and anarchist political beliefs.
Edward Abbey received his education at the University of New Mexico and the University of Edinburgh. His writing gained a cult following, thanks to his unique voice and his ability to articulate the importance of preserving the natural world. Abbey died on March 14, 1989, due to complications from surgery. In keeping with his wishes, he was buried in a sleeping bag, without embalming fluid or a casket, in an unmarked grave in southern Arizona.