Sherwood Anderson

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Sherwood Anderson (1933) (retouched)

Sherwood Anderson's grave marker

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Winesburg, Ohio 1st

Sherwood Anderson (September 13, 1876 – March 8, 1941) was an influential American novelist and short story writer, known for his subjective and self-revealing works. Born in Camden, Ohio, Anderson grew up in a small town atmosphere which would later influence much of his work, most notably in his most famous book, Winesburg, Ohio. This collection of short stories, published in 1919, explores the lives of various residents of an imaginary American small town, revealing the isolation, loneliness, and fragmentation of their lives.

Early Life

Sherwood Anderson was born to Irwin M. Anderson and Emma Smith, and was the third of seven children. His family moved frequently during his childhood, eventually settling in Clyde, Ohio, which would serve as the model for the setting of Winesburg, Ohio. Anderson's early life was marked by poverty and hardship, which led him to leave school at the age of 14 to work various jobs to help support his family.

Career

Anderson's early career was not in writing but in business. He successfully managed a paint manufacturing company in Cleveland, Ohio. However, in 1912, Anderson suffered a nervous breakdown, which led him to abandon his business career and turn to writing.

His first novel, Windy McPherson's Son, was published in 1916, followed by Marching Men in 1917. However, it was Winesburg, Ohio that established Anderson's reputation as a major American writer. The book's unconventional narrative structure, focusing on the inner lives of its characters rather than on external action, was groundbreaking at the time.

Following the success of Winesburg, Ohio, Anderson published several more novels, including Poor White (1920), Many Marriages (1923), and Dark Laughter (1925), as well as more collections of short stories. His work often explored themes of isolation, the failure of communication between people, and the inarticulate, inner lives of his characters.

Personal Life

Anderson was married four times and had three children. His personal life, particularly his relationships with his wives and children, was often tumultuous and served as material for his writing.

Death

Sherwood Anderson died on March 8, 1941, in Colon, Panama, of peritonitis, after accidentally swallowing a toothpick. He was on a cruise in South America at the time of his death.

Legacy

Sherwood Anderson's influence on American literature is significant. He is often credited with influencing the style of other writers, such as Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner, and John Steinbeck, who admired his ability to capture the psychological depth of his characters. Anderson's exploration of the inner lives of small-town Americans opened up new possibilities for the American short story and novel.

Bibliography

• Windy McPherson's Son (1916)
• Marching Men (1917)
• Winesburg, Ohio (1919)
• Poor White (1920)
• Many Marriages (1923)
• Dark Laughter (1925)