Colson Whitehead: One of the Greatest Writers of our Time

 

   About Colson Whitehead: 

      Colson Whitehead is an American novelist who is known for writing across many diverse genres while exploring deep social themes like racism and injustice. Whitehead was born in New York City in 1969 and was raised in Manhattan, he graduated from Harvard University. While being a student at Harvard, Whitehead had joined this renowned group for emerging black writers, which included future poets and literary figures. Colson also worked as a cultural critic for the Village Voice before moving onto writing novels. Colson Whiteheads biggest inspiration with writing was one of the all time greatest writers, Stephen King, who had a huge impact on Whitehead's early fiction writings.

Notable Works:

    Colson Whitehead's catalog of books he has written extends across many genres. Some of which being historical fiction, speculative horror, and coming of age stories. One of his masterpieces that has grown in notorioty is known as The Underground Railroad. It was written in 2016, and is a monumental work of historical fiction and realism. The novel reimagines the work of safe houses and routes that enslaved people used as a literal underground railroad with train tracks, conductors, and locomotives. Another staple in his writing is Zone One. It is about this man named Mark Spitz and he is traversing the post-apocolyptic world in the city of Manhattan. Spitz is tasked with clearing out remaining infected individuals. (Fun fact: Whitehead put this as the setting because it was where he was raised) 

Whitehead's Biggest Achievements:

    While being known as a profound writer, Colson Whitehead found himself being recognized as a winner of one of the most prestigious awards that can be given to an author, the Pulitzer Prize! He first earned the notorious award when he wrote the book, The Underground Railroad in 2016. He was then awarded again a few years after with his other book known as The Nickleboys in 2019. With what Whitehead has done with his work he has already solidified himself as one of the most renowned writers of our time!

Sources:

Colson Whitehead | Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/programs/poetry-and-literature/prizes/fiction-prize/item/n98027019/colson-whitehead/.

Colson Whitehead | The Pulitzer Prizes, www.pulitzer.org/winners/colson-whitehead.