Tom Wolfe

Tom Wolfe was an American author and journalist who was born in Richmond, Virginia on March 2, 1931. He was best known for his works of non-fiction, such as The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, The Right Stuff, and The Bonfire of the Vanities. He was also a pioneer of the New Journalism movement, which combined traditional reporting with literary techniques.

Early Life

Tom Wolfe was born to Thomas Kennerly Wolfe Sr. and Louise Wolfe. He attended St. Christopher's School in Richmond, Virginia, and later went on to study at Washington and Lee University. He graduated in 1951 with a degree in English and then went on to pursue a Ph.D. in American Studies at Yale University.

Career

Wolfe began his career as a reporter for the Springfield Union in Massachusetts. He then moved to New York City and worked as a reporter for the New York Herald Tribune. In 1962, he published his first book, The Kandy-Kolored Tangerine-Flake Streamline Baby, which was a collection of articles he had written for Esquire magazine.

In 1965, Wolfe published his first novel, The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, which was a non-fiction account of the hippie counterculture of the 1960s. This book was a major success and established Wolfe as a major figure in the New Journalism movement.

In 1979, Wolfe published The Right Stuff, which was a non-fiction account of the early days of the American space program. This book was also a major success and was later adapted into a movie in 1983.

In 1987, Wolfe published The Bonfire of the Vanities, which was a satirical novel about the excesses of Wall Street and the New York City elite. This book was also a major success and was later adapted into a movie in 1990.

Later Life

Wolfe continued to write and publish books throughout the 1990s and 2000s. He also wrote several articles for magazines such as Rolling Stone and Harper's.

In 2016, Wolfe was awarded the National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama.

Wolfe passed away on May 14, 2018, at the age of 88.

Legacy

Tom Wolfe was a major figure in the New Journalism movement and is widely regarded as one of the most influential authors of the 20th century. His works of non-fiction, such as The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, The Right Stuff, and The Bonfire of the Vanities, are considered classics of the genre. He was also a major influence on many other writers, including Hunter S. Thompson and Joan Didion.