J.D. Salinger

J.D. Salinger, born Jerome David Salinger, was an American author best known for his novel, 'The Catcher in the Rye' (1951). He was born in New York City on January 1, 1919. Salinger's writing talent became evident while he was in McBurney School, a private school in Manhattan. He began writing short stories during his time there and continued to publish several stories in the early 1940s before serving in World War II.

Salinger's works, most notably 'The Catcher in the Rye,' often explore the themes of troubled, sensitive adolescents. The novel, which was initially intended for an adult audience, became popular among young adults due to its themes of teenage angst, confusion, and rebellion. The character Holden Caulfield, who first appeared in the short story 'Slight Rebellion off Madison,' became a cultural icon for disenchanted youth. 'The Catcher in the Rye' has been widely read and remains controversial, selling a quarter-million copies a year.

Following the success of 'The Catcher in the Rye,' Salinger published a short story collection, 'Nine Stories' (1953), and two novellas, 'Franny and Zooey' (1961) and 'Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour: An Introduction' (1963). His last published work, a novella titled 'Hapworth 16, 1924,' appeared in The New Yorker on June 19, 1965.

Despite his literary success, Salinger was known for his reclusive nature. He lived most of his life trying to escape public attention and scrutiny, publishing new work less frequently and eventually giving his last interview in 1980. Salinger's desire for privacy led to legal battles, including a dispute with biographer Ian Hamilton in the 1980s and the release of memoirs by his ex-lover, Joyce Maynard, and his daughter, Margaret Salinger, in the late 1990s.

Salinger passed away at his home in Cornish, New Hampshire, on January 27, 2010, due to natural causes. He was 91 years old.