Frederick Buechner

Frederick Buechner (born July 11, 1926) is an American author.

Related Topics:
July 11 - 1926 - American

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Buechner (pronounced BEEK-nur) graduated from Lawrenceville School in 1943 and was accepted to Princeton University. Buechner spent two years (1944-1946) in the military, including combat duty in World War II, before finishing his studies at Princeton. Buechner received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1947.

Related Topics:
Lawrenceville School - 1943 - Princeton University - 1944 - 1946 - World War II - Bachelor of Arts - 1947

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In 1948, Buechner returned to Lawrenceville as an English teacher. In 1950, Buechner published his first novel, A Long Day's Dying, which he had began writing during his senior year at Princeton. Buechner quit teaching in 1953 and moved to New York to become a full-time writer.

Related Topics:
1948 - 1950 - 1953 - New York

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Buechner then began attending Union Theological Seminary, and received his Bachelor of Divinity Degree in 1958. He then served as the school chaplain at Phillips Exeter Academy from 1958-1967.

Related Topics:
Union Theological Seminary - Bachelor of Divinity Degree - 1958 - Phillips Exeter Academy

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His most critically acclaimed novel, Godric, is the semi-fictionalized story of the life of a medieval Catholic saint, Godric of Finchale, told from his own perspective. Godric was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in 1981.

Related Topics:
Godric - Medieval - Catholic - Saint - Godric of Finchale - Pulitzer Prize

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The poet James Merrill (1926-1995) credited Buechner as an early inspiration. Merrill dedicated First Poems to Buechner in 1951. Merrill and Buechner were friends in high school.

Related Topics:
James Merrill - 1951

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Buechner currently lives in Vermont and as of 2004 continues to write. A film made about him in 2003 can be watched here: .

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