On this day in history, William Cuthbert Faulkner, a renowned American novelist, was born in Mississippi. Faulkner’s unique writing style, which combined the “stream of consciousness” technique with symbolism and settings that mirrored his Southern American upbringing, has left an indelible mark on American literature. His contributions were so significant that he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1949, and his short stories and novels are still widely studied and appreciated today. 

Fun Facts about Faulkner: 

• William Faulkner was born in New Albany, Mississippi, on September 25, 1897.
• He is a celebrated literature writer, with two of his works, A Fable and The Reivers, winning the Pulitzer Prize for fiction.
• William went on to win the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize in Literature in 1949. He is one of 11 Americans who have won this prize.
• During the First World War, Faulkner served in the Royal Canadian Air Force. His literary talent, short stature, and low weight likely spared him from active combat.
• After a brief stint at the University of Mississippi, Faulkner dropped out without a degree, having completed only three semesters. However, his literary career was already on the rise, as he published his first book, Soldier’s Pay, in 1925.
• His other notable works include As I Lay Here Dying, Light in August, Absalom, Absalom!, and The Sound and the Fury.
• William Faulkner died on July 6th, 1962, of a heart attack in Byhalia, Mississippi. He would be 64 years old.