Thomas Wolfe
![Portrait by [[Carl Van Vechten]], 1937](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Thomas_Wolfe_1937_1_%28cropped%29.jpg)
Wolfe wrote four long novels as well as many short stories, dramatic works, and novellas. He is known for mixing highly original, poetic, rhapsodic, and impressionistic prose with autobiographical writing. His books, written and published from the 1920s to the 1940s, vividly reflect on the American culture and mores of that period, filtered through Wolfe's sensitive and uncomfortable perspective.
After Wolfe's death, Faulkner said that he might have been the greatest talent of their generation, aiming higher than any other writer. Faulkner's endorsement, however, failed to win over mid to late 20th century critics and for a time Wolfe's place in the literary canon was questioned. However, 21st century academics have largely rejected this negative assessment, and a more positive and balanced assessment has emerged, combining renewed interest in his works, particularly his short fiction, with greater appreciation of his experimentation with literary forms, which has secured Wolfe a place in the literary canon.
Wolfe had great influence on Jack Kerouac, and his influence extended to other postwar authors such as Ray Bradbury and Philip Roth, among others. Provided by Wikipedia