Colson Whitehead, an American author, won two Pulitzer Prizes for fiction for his novels The Underground Railroad and The Nickel Boys and a National Book Award for his exploration of social themes such as racism and fantasy elements.
With over 30 years of writing experience, he has established himself as an iconic writer who explores the complexities of history, race, and the human experience.
Whitehead’s works are praised for their profound insights and powerful storytelling.
File
- Full Name: Colson Whitehead
- Date of birth: November 6, 1969
- Age: 55 years old
- Gender: Male
- Place of birth: New York City, New York, United States
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Author
- Height: About 6 feet (1.83 meters)
- Parents: None
- Siblings: None
- Spouse: Julie Barer
- Children: 2 children
- Relationship status: Married
- Net worth: $10 million
Early life and education
Colson Whitehead was born in New York City on November 6, 1969. Now 55, he grew up on Manhattan’s Upper West Side and attended the Dalton School. From an early age, Whitehead developed an interest in storytelling and literature.
After graduating from high school, Whitehead majored in English at Harvard University.
While at Harvard, he honed his writing skills. Whitehead graduated from Harvard in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts in English.
Personal life
Colson Whitehead is married to Julie Barer, a literary agent. The couple met in the early 1990s while pursuing their careers in New York City.
They share a passion for art and have collaborated on many projects throughout their relationship.
Colson Whitehead and his wife Julie Barer, a literary agent, are the parents of two children, a six-year-old boy and a fifteen-year-old girl. According to Whitehead, he writes while the children are in school.
Career
Colson Whitehead’s career began in the early 1990s with the publication of his debut novel, “Intuitive person.”
The book received positive reviews. Whitehead continued to produce quality novels, including “John Henry Days,” “Apex Hides the Pain,” And “Sag Harbor.” His works often deal with race, history, and the complexities of human experience.
In 2016, Whitehead achieved widespread recognition with the publication of his novel “Underground Railroad.”
The book, a historical novel that reimagines the Underground Railroad as a real train, won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and became a New York Times bestseller.
Whitehead’s next novel, “The Nickel Boys”, further cementing his reputation as a literary master. Published in 2019, the book explores the horrors of a segregated reform school in the Jim Crow South.
The work won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, making Whitehead the first author since William Faulkner to win the award twice.
Prize
- Pulitzer Prize for Fiction (2017, 2020)
- National Book Award for Fiction (2019)
- PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction (2019)
- Kirkus Prize for Fiction (2019)
- Goodreads Choice Award for Best Historical Fiction (2016)
- Arthur C. Clarke Award (2017)
- Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction (2017)
- PEN/Jean Stein Book Award (2017)
- Anisfield-Wolf Book Award (2017)
- Hurston/Wright Legacy Award (2017)
- Audie Prize for Fiction (2017)
Net worth
Colson Whitehead’s current net worth is around $10 million.
His wealth comes primarily from his successful writing career, including book sales, royalties, and adaptations of his works into other media.
Argumentative
Colson Whitehead has generally avoided major controversy throughout his career.
However, his works have caused much controversy because they deal with sensitive topics such as race, history, and social injustice.
Special, “Underground Railroad” caused some controversy because it fictionalized the Underground Railroad.
Some critics have argued that the novel’s depiction of the Underground Railroad as a real train is historically inaccurate and diminishes the real struggles slaves faced.
Despite these criticisms, “Underground Railroad” has received widespread praise for its literary merit and ability to spark meaningful conversations about history and racial injustice.
Social media
- Instagram: @colsonwhitehead
- Twitter: @colsonwhitehead
Book
- “The Intuitive” (1999)
- “The Days of John Henry” (2001)
- “Apex Hides the Pain” (2006)
- “Sag Harbor” (2009)
- “Zone One” (2011)
- “The Underground Railroad” (2016)
- “The Nickel Boys” (2019)
- “Harlem Shuffle” (2021)
