William Faulkner

1897 - 1962
American
Writer
William Faulkner was an American writer and Nobel Prize laureate. He is considered one of the most important writers of the 20th century literature, known for his complex narrative techniques and deep exploration of human consciousness.

Life & Work Timeline

Follow the journey of William Faulkner through time, including major life events and published works.

1897
  • Estelle Oldham was born and would later become a significant figure in William Faulkner's life as his teenage girlfriend.

  • Born around 1897-1900 (exact date not mentioned) in Mississippi, USA

1902
  • Faulkner's family moved to Oxford, Mississippi,

1910
  • Thorsten Jonsson was born in his birth year, marking the beginning of his life as a journalist and husband to Else Jonsson.

1912
  • Else Jonsson was born in her birth year, becoming Thorsten's wife and sharing a life that would eventually lead to an extramarital affair with William Faulkner.

1914
  • Faulkner joined the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War I,

1915
  • As I Lay Dying

1918
  • Faulkner returned from serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force and enrolled at the University of Mississippi for three semesters,

  • William Faulkner joined the Royal Air Force (Canada) with a forged letter of reference due to being rejected by the US Army, where he served for 179 days before being discharged on January 4th. He also visited Phil Stone at Yale in the spring of that year.

  • Faulkner's surname was changed from Falkner to Faulkner due to a typesetting error or his acceptance of it, marking an important change in his identity and life.

  • Cornell Franklin proposed marriage to Estelle Oldham in 1918, but Faulkner dated her instead, showing the complexity of his relationships during this time period.

  • William Faulkner met influential figures such as Sherwood Anderson, Robert Frost, and Ezra Pound through Phil Stone, who introduced him to the world of literature and helped shape his writing style.

1919
  • Enrolled at the University of Mississippi in a new academic year, marking the beginning of his formal education.

  • Knight's Gambit

1920
  • Faulkner repeated his eleventh and twelfth grades after completing a high school equivalent, indicating that he struggled with his education and had to work hard to catch up.

  • Faulkner visited Phil Stone at Yale in the spring of this year, where he was introduced to literature and recognized as having talent by Stone. This visit marked an important turning point in his life and literary career.

  • Dropped out of the university after three semesters due to poor academic performance and personal reasons, leaving his educational journey unfinished.

1922
  • Had a poem titled 'Portrait' published in the New Orleans literary magazine Double Dealer, showcasing his early writing talent and gaining recognition in the literary world.

1923
  • Faulkner served as Postmaster at the University of Mississippi.

1924
  • Faulkner published his first poetry volume, 'The Marble Faun', marking the beginning of his literary career. This debut work showcased Faulkner's unique style and voice, setting the stage for his future success as a novelist and short story writer.

1925
  • Faulkner published his first novel, Soldiers' Pay, which marked a significant milestone in his writing career,

  • Spent the first half of the year in New Orleans, Louisiana, before moving to the French Quarter in March where he began living there full-time.

  • Published his first novel, Flags in the Dust, which would go on to earn him critical acclaim and establish him as a prominent literary figure.

1926
  • Soldiers' Pay

1927
  • Faulkner published Sartoris, the first work set in Yoknapatawpha County, showcasing his unique regional style,

  • Mosquitoes

1928
  • Started working on The Sound and the Fury in autumn, marking a significant turning point in his literary career

1929
  • Sartoris

  • Married Estelle Oldham in Oxford, Mississippi, with Andrew Kuhn serving as best man, solidifying his personal life

  • The Sound and the Fury

  • Faulkner published The Sound and the Fury, a novel that cemented his reputation as a major literary voice,

1930
  • Faulkner published As I Lay Dying, another critically acclaimed work that further solidified his position in American literature,

  • Published As I Lay Dying while working night shifts at the University of Mississippi Power House, showcasing his writing prowess

  • Faulkner continued to find reliable work as a screenwriter during the 1930s-1950s, establishing himself in the industry despite facing rejection and personal struggles.

  • A Rose for Emily

1931
  • Faulkner published his first short story collection, 'These 13', which included notable stories like 'A Rose for Emily' and 'Red Leaves'. This work gained Faulkner initial public attention and established him as a prominent figure in the literary world.

  • Light in August

  • Sanctuary

1932
  • Faulkner accepted work as a screenwriter with MGM Studios in Hollywood, marking a significant shift in his career

1933
  • Had a daughter named Jill born to him and Estelle Oldham, expanding his family

  • Faulkner published his second poetry volume, 'A Green Bough', further solidifying his reputation as a talented writer. The collection showcased Faulkner's mastery of language and poetic form, leaving a lasting impact on readers and critics alike.

  • A Green Bough

    Original: A green bough

1934
  • Collected Stories of William Faulkner

  • Dr. Martino and Other Stories

1935
  • Pylon

1936
  • Absalom, Absalom!

1938
  • The Unvanquished

1939
  • The Wild Palms

1940
  • Caroline Barr passed away, bringing an end to her remarkable life and legacy.

  • Go Down, Moses

  • The Hamlet

1942
  • Faulkner tried to join the United States Air Force but was rejected, highlighting his difficulties with formal military service and his focus on civilian life.

1943
  • Faulkner began work on a new novel that merged World War I's Unknown Soldier with the Passion of Christ, showcasing his unique style and exploration of themes such as sacrifice and redemption.

  • While working at Warner Brothers, William Faulkner wrote a letter of encouragement to Eudora Welty.

1944
  • Wrote a screenplay adaptation of Ernest Hemingway's novel To Have and Have Not, demonstrating his versatility as a writer

1946
  • New Orleans Sketches

  • As I Lay Dying / Sound and the Fury

1948
  • Intruder in the Dust

  • Bear / Old Man / Spotted Horses

1949
  • Faulkner was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, a testament to his groundbreaking contributions to modernist literature,

  • Faulkner published his collection of mystery stories, 'Knight's Gambit', which demonstrated his versatility as a writer and explored new genres beyond traditional Southern literature.

1950
  • Faulkner visited Stockholm to receive the Nobel Prize, marking a significant milestone in his career and cementing his reputation as one of the greatest writers of the 20th century.

  • A Fable

  • Requiem for a Nun

  • The Portable Faulkner

1951
  • Faulkner received the Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur medal from the government of France, demonstrating his international recognition and respect for his literary achievements.

  • Faulkner won the U.S. National Book Award for Collected Stories, solidifying his position as a prominent American writer.

  • Novels (Requiem for a Nun / Sanctuary)

1952
  • The Rinehart Book of Short Stories

  • The United States in Literature

1953
  • The end of Faulkner's affair with Else Jonsson marked a turning point in his personal life, allowing him to focus on his writing and continue his work as a celebrated author.

1954
  • Faulkner won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for A Fable, recognizing his mastery of literary storytelling,

  • Completed working on films with MGM Studios after a successful career spanning around 22 years

  • Faulkner won the Pulitzer Prize for A Fable, although initially awarded to Milton Lott's The Last Hunt, showcasing his continued literary success and recognition by the American public.

  • Novels, 1930-1935

  • Short Stories -- Classic, Modern, Contemporary

  • The Faulkner Reader

1955
  • Faulkner won the U.S. National Book Award for A Fable, further cementing his reputation as a literary mastermind.

  • Big Woods

1956
  • Faulkner gave an interview to The Paris Review,

  • The interview took place in France,

  • Faulkner discussed his writing style and literary influences during the conversation.

  • Faulkner at Nagano

1957
  • Faulkner served as the first Writer-in-Residence at the University of Virginia at Charlottesville from February to June. During this tenure, he immersed himself in academia, engaging with students and faculty alike, sharing his literary expertise and passion for writing.

  • The Town

1958
  • More Stories to Remember -- Volume II

1959
  • The Mansion

  • Understanding Fiction--Second Edition

    Original: Understanding fiction -- Second Edition

1961
  • In January and summer, Faulkner wrote his nineteenth and final novel, The Reivers. This work showcased Faulkner's continued growth as a writer and his ability to craft compelling stories that captured the hearts of readers worldwide.

1962
  • Faulkner died from a heart attack following a fall from his horse in New Orleans, the month before his death certificate was issued

  • Faulkner suffered a serious injury in a fall from his horse on June 17, leading to thrombosis. The accident had significant implications for Faulkner's health and ultimately contributed to his untimely death at the age of 64.

  • Faulkner died on July 6th at Wright's Sanatorium in Byhalia, Mississippi. His passing marked the end of an era for American literature, leaving behind a legacy of masterpieces that continue to captivate audiences today.

  • The Reivers

  • William Faulkner--Early Prose and Poetry

    Original: William Faulkner - Early Prose and Poetry