William H. Gass

William H. Gass (born July 30, 1924 in Fargo, North Dakota) is an American novelist, short story writer, essayist, critic and teacher.

Related Topics:
July 30 - 1924 - Fargo, North Dakota - American - Novel - Short story - Essay - Critic

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Gass has described his childhood as unhappy and damaging, claiming his father was emotionally abusive and bigoted, and his mother was a quiet, passive, alcoholic. Critics have noted many characters in Gass' fiction have these same traits. Gass has cited the anger inspired by his childhood as a major influence on his work, even stating that he writes "to get even." Despite his prolific output, he has stated that writing is difficult for him.

Related Topics:
Bigot - Alcoholic

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Gass attended Wesleyan University, then served in the United States Navy, a period he describes as perhaps the worst of his life. He earned his A.B. in philosophy from Kenyon College in 1947, then his Ph.D. in philosophy from Cornell University in 1954, where he studied under Max Black. Gass has taught at The College of Wooster, Purdue University and at Washington University. While he retired from teaching fulltime in 1999, Gass remains professor emeritus at Washington University.

Related Topics:
Wesleyan University - United States Navy - A.B. - Philosophy - Kenyon College - 1947 - Ph.D. - Cornell University - 1954 - Max Black - The College of Wooster - Purdue University - Washington University - 1999 - Emeritus

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When writing, Gass typically devotes enormous attention to the construction of sentences, arguing their importance as the basis of his work. His prose has been described as flashy, difficult, edgy, masterful, inventive and musical. Steven Moore, writing in the Washington Post has called Gass "the finest prose stylist in America." Much of Gass' fiction is metafictional.

Related Topics:
Prose - Washington Post - Metafiction

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Gass has received many awards and honors, including grants from the Rockefeller Foundation in 1965 and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation in 1970; teaching awards from Purdue University and Washington University; and the American Book Award for The Tunnel in 1997.

Related Topics:
Rockefeller Foundation - Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation - Purdue University - Washington University - American Book Award - 1997

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