Winston Groom

Winston Francis Groom, Jr., born on March 23, 1943, was an American novelist and non-fiction writer, renowned for his book "Forrest Gump," which was adapted into a film in 1994. Groom was born in Washington, D.C., but spent his childhood in Mobile, Alabama, where he attended University Military School. He later joined the University of Alabama, where he was a member of the Army ROTC and Delta Tau Delta, and graduated in 1965. After his graduation, he served in the Army from 1965 to 1969, including a tour in Vietnam.

Groom originally aspired to become a lawyer, following in his father's footsteps, but eventually chose to pursue a career in writing. He began his writing career as a journalist and later transitioned to becoming a novelist. His most famous work, "Forrest Gump," sold 1.7 million copies worldwide and became a cultural phenomenon when it was adapted into a film in 1994. The film won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and brought widespread recognition to Groom's work.

In addition to "Forrest Gump," Groom has written numerous non-fiction works on diverse subjects, including the American Civil War and the Great War. He devoted much of his time to writing history books about American wars. After living in Point Clear, Alabama, and Long Island, New York, Groom passed away on September 17, 2020. His contributions to American literature and history have left a lasting impact, and his work continues to be celebrated and remembered.