Booth Tarkington

Booth Tarkington Biography

Newton Booth Tarkington (29 July 1869 – 19 May 1946) was an American novelist and playwright born in Indianapolis, Indiana, known for capturing Midwestern life with warmth and wit. He studied at Purdue and graduated from Princeton, where he edited the Nassau Literary Magazine.

A prolific author, he wrote juvenile classics like Penrod (1914) and Seventeen (1916), as well as Pulitzer-winning novels The Magnificent Ambersons (1918, Pulitzer 1919) and Alice Adams (1921, Pulitzer 1922). His works were adapted into acclaimed films and plays.

Tarkington served in the Indiana legislature and later suffered partial blindness. He spent summers in Kennebunkport, Maine, retiring there until his death in 1946.

Trivia About Booth Tarkington

• One of only four novelists to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction more than once.
• Also served in the Indiana House of Representatives.
• Became partially blind in later life, yet continued writing.
• Penrod series were among the first contemporary teen novels turned into films.

Famous Quotes by Booth Tarkington

• "There is some good in this world, and it’s worth fighting for."
• "Character isn't made in a crisis—it is only exhibited."

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are Booth Tarkington’s best-known works?

He is best known for Penrod, The Magnificent Ambersons, and Alice Adams.

What awards did he win?

He won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1919 and 1922—the only author to win twice until Faulkner, Updike, and Whitehead.

Critical Reception & Influence

In the early 20th century, he was among America’s most popular writers, celebrated for his sympathetic portrayals of small‑town life. Modern critics recognize his earlier works as key in defining American realism.

Why This Author Still Matters

His portrayal of youth, social change, and moral values continues to influence American fiction and remind readers of the power of regional storytelling.

Related Literary Movements

Tarkington is associated with American realism and regionalism, especially Midwestern literature, and early 20th‑century juvenile and social novels.

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