Shirley Jackson

Shirley Jackson - Author, Timeline and Childhood

Violet FieldHome › AmericanShirley JacksonDecember 14, 19161,111 views

5 based on 1 rates
Shirley Jackson Biography Stories 

Shirley Jackson's Personal Details

Shirley Jackson was an American author of novels and short stories

InformationDetail
BirthdayDecember 14, 1916
Died onAugust 8, 1965
NationalityAmerican
FamousSyracuse University, Writers, Novelists, Short Story Writers, Author
City/StateCalifornia
SpousesStanley Edgar Hyman
SiblingsBarry H. Jackson
Known asShirley Hardie Jackson
ChildrensLaurence, Sarah Hyman Stewart
Universities
  • Syracuse University
  • Rochester
  • NY
  • University of Rochester
  • BA English
  • Syracuse University (1940)
Notable Alumnis
  • Syracuse University
Birth PlaceSan Francisco, California, U.S.
GenderFemale
FatherLeslie H. Jackson
MotherGeraldine B. Jackson
Sun SignSagittarius
Born inSan Francisco, California, U.S.
Famous asAuthor
Died at Age48

// Famous Author

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer is a Christian author and speaker. This biography provides detailed information about her childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline

Suze Orman

Suze Orman

Suze Orman is an American television host, financial advisor, author and motivational speaker, famous for her ‘The Suze Orman Show’ on CNBC. This biography profiles her childhood, life, career, works, achievements and timeline.

Robert Graysmith

Robert Graysmith

Robert Graysmith is an author best identified for his works on the ‘Zodiac Killer case’. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.

Shirley Jackson's photo

Who is Shirley Jackson?

Shirley Jackson was an American author of novels and short stories, whose most famous short story ‘The Lottery’ is regarded as one of the greatest short stories ever written. Jackson was born in San Francisco but grew up in Burlingame, California, before the family moved to New York when she was a teenager. She had started writing stories and poems right from the time she was a teenager but it was during her time at the Syracuse University that she really came into her own when the campus magazine published one of her short stories titled ‘Janice’. After graduating from university, she settled down with her husband in New York and started working as a full time writer. Her stories were published in some of the most well-known American magazines and before long she became a known face in the American literary scene. Her first big break came in the form of the short story ‘Come Dance With Me In Ireland’ but later on her short story ‘The Lottery’ made her one of the most famous short story writers of her time. She also wrote novels and her novel ‘The Haunting of Hill House’ was turned into two feature films.

// Famous Novelists

Charles Bukowski

Charles Bukowski

Charles Bukowski was a German-born American novelist, short story writer and poet. With this biography, learn in details about his childhood, life, works, career and timeline

Milan Kundera

Milan Kundera

Milan Kundera is a Czech-born French writer known for his erotic and political writings. This biography of Milan Kundera provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.

Simone de Beauvoir

Simone de Beauvoir

Simone de Beauvoir was an eminent French writer, intellectual, activist, and philosopher. This biography profiles her childhood, life, thoughts, achievements and timeline.

Childhood & Early Life

Shirley Jackson was born in San Francisco, California, U.S. to Leslie Jackson and Geraldine Jackson on 14 December 1916. Her family belonged to the middle class and she had a comfortable childhood. No information about the occupation of her parents is known.

She grew up in a place called Burlingame in California. This area was inhabited by affluent families. She was interested in writing from an early age and her earliest works as a writer included shorts stories and poetries, which she wrote as a teenager.

When she was 17-year-old, her family decided to relocate from California to New York. In New York, she studied at Brighton High School and graduated high school in 1934. She subsequently enrolled at the University of Rochester but eventually moved to Syracuse University. She graduated with a BA six years after graduating high school.

Career

Her work was published for the first time during her time at Syracuse University. In 1937, the short story titled ‘Janice’ was published in the campus magazine. Subsequently she helped in establishing the literary publication Spectre inside the campus during his time there.

After graduating from university, she moved with her husband to New York in 1940 and set up their residence in Greenwich Village. She became a professional writer after moving to the city and according to some accounts, wrote every day along with working in various odd jobs, in order to take care of her expenses. She became a contributor to esteemed American publications such as ‘The New Yorker’ and ‘The New Republic’.

In 1944, she came into prominence as a writer when her short story ‘Come Dance With Me In Ireland’ was chosen among the ‘Best American Short Stories’ and the following year, the family moved to North Bennington, Vermont, after her husband took up a job there. Her story ‘The Missing Girl’ is known to have been inspired by the real life events in relation to the disappearance of a girl in Bennington College.

In 1948, Jackson’s first novel ‘The Road Through the Wall’ was published but the bigger breakthrough was her short story ‘The Lottery’, which was published in ‘The New Yorker’. The short story remains one of her most famous works and created a stir among readers. The following year she relocated to Westport, Connecticut and her book of collected short stories titled ‘The Adventures of James Harris’ was published.

She wrote a gothic novel titled ‘Hangsaman’ in 1951 and continued to write short stories like ‘The Bird’s Nest’ and ‘One Ordinary Day With Peasants’ among others. Her fame and recognition as a writer of short stories as well as novels grew during that period.

In 1959, her most famous novel ‘The Haunting of Hill House’ was published and is regarded as one of the best haunted house tales ever written. The book was also adapted into two movies. A year later, she wrote the novel ‘We Have Always Lived in the Castle’ which turned out to be a best-seller. Subsequently, she worked as the review writer of children’s books for ‘New York Herald Tribune’.

Major Works

The most significant work of her career was the short story ‘The Lottery’, which was published in The New Yorker magazine in 1948. It is regarded as one of the best short stories and has been translated into several languages.

Personal Life & Legacy

She married Stanley Edgar Hyman, a literary critic by profession, in 1940. The couple had four children - Laurence, Joanne, Sarah and Barry.

She died on 8 August 1965 in North Bennington in Vermont due to a heart attack.

// Famous Short Story Writers

Charles Bukowski

Charles Bukowski

Charles Bukowski was a German-born American novelist, short story writer and poet. With this biography, learn in details about his childhood, life, works, career and timeline

Ruskin Bond

Ruskin Bond

Ruskin Bond is an award winning Indian author of British descent. This biography of Ruskin Bond provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.

Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman is an English writer of novels, short stories, children’s books and other literature. This biography provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.

Shirley Jackson's awards

YearNameAward

Other

01960 - National Book Award nomination: The Haunting of Hill House
0 1962 - One of Time's

Shirley Jackson biography timelines

  • // 14th Dec 1916
    Shirley Jackson was born in San Francisco, California, U.S. to Leslie Jackson and Geraldine Jackson on 14 December 1916. Her family belonged to the middle class and she had a comfortable childhood. No information about the occupation of her parents is known.
  • // 1934
    When she was 17-year-old, her family decided to relocate from California to New York. In New York, she studied at Brighton High School and graduated high school in 1934. She subsequently enrolled at the University of Rochester but eventually moved to Syracuse University. She graduated with a BA six years after graduating high school.
  • // 1937
    Her work was published for the first time during her time at Syracuse University. In 1937, the short story titled ‘Janice’ was published in the campus magazine. Subsequently she helped in establishing the literary publication Spectre inside the campus during his time there.
  • // 1940
    After graduating from university, she moved with her husband to New York in 1940 and set up their residence in Greenwich Village. She became a professional writer after moving to the city and according to some accounts, wrote every day along with working in various odd jobs, in order to take care of her expenses. She became a contributor to esteemed American publications such as ‘The New Yorker’ and ‘The New Republic’.
  • // 1940
    She married Stanley Edgar Hyman, a literary critic by profession, in 1940. The couple had four children - Laurence, Joanne, Sarah and Barry.
  • // 1944
    In 1944, she came into prominence as a writer when her short story ‘Come Dance With Me In Ireland’ was chosen among the ‘Best American Short Stories’ and the following year, the family moved to North Bennington, Vermont, after her husband took up a job there. Her story ‘The Missing Girl’ is known to have been inspired by the real life events in relation to the disappearance of a girl in Bennington College.
  • // 1948
    In 1948, Jackson’s first novel ‘The Road Through the Wall’ was published but the bigger breakthrough was her short story ‘The Lottery’, which was published in ‘The New Yorker’. The short story remains one of her most famous works and created a stir among readers. The following year she relocated to Westport, Connecticut and her book of collected short stories titled ‘The Adventures of James Harris’ was published.
  • // 1948
    The most significant work of her career was the short story ‘The Lottery’, which was published in The New Yorker magazine in 1948. It is regarded as one of the best short stories and has been translated into several languages.
  • // 1951
    She wrote a gothic novel titled ‘Hangsaman’ in 1951 and continued to write short stories like ‘The Bird’s Nest’ and ‘One Ordinary Day With Peasants’ among others. Her fame and recognition as a writer of short stories as well as novels grew during that period.
  • // 1959
    In 1959, her most famous novel ‘The Haunting of Hill House’ was published and is regarded as one of the best haunted house tales ever written. The book was also adapted into two movies. A year later, she wrote the novel ‘We Have Always Lived in the Castle’ which turned out to be a best-seller. Subsequently, she worked as the review writer of children’s books for ‘New York Herald Tribune’.
  • // 8th Aug 1965
    She died on 8 August 1965 in North Bennington in Vermont due to a heart attack.

// Famous Syracuse University

Al-Waleed bin Talal

Al-Waleed bin Talal

Al Waleed Bin Talal is the owner of ‘Kingdom Holding Company’ and is one of the richest individuals in the world. This biography provides detailed information about his childhood, career, profile & timeline

Vera Farmiga

Vera Farmiga

Vera Farmiga is a Ukrainian-American actress and producer. Check out this biography to know about her childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.

Megyn Kelly

Megyn Kelly

Megyn Kelly is an American journalist, political commentator and former corporate defense attorney. Check out this biography to know about her childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about her life.

Joyce Carol Oates

Joyce Carol Oates

Joyce Carol Oates is an acclaimed, award-winning American novelist, short story writer and poet. This biography offers detailed information about her childhood, life, works, career, achievements and timeline.

Paul Taylor

Paul Taylor

Paul Taylor is one of the most illustrious American choreographers of the 20th century. This biography profiles his childhood, career, achievements, life and timeline.

Grace Jones

Grace Jones

Grace Jones is a famous Jamaican singer and actress. This biography provides detailed information about her childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.

Shirley Jackson's FAQ

  • What is Shirley Jackson birthday?

    Shirley Jackson was born at 1916-12-14

  • When was Shirley Jackson died?

    Shirley Jackson was died at 1965-08-08

  • Where was Shirley Jackson died?

    Shirley Jackson was died in North Bennington

  • Which age was Shirley Jackson died?

    Shirley Jackson was died at age 48

  • Where is Shirley Jackson's birth place?

    Shirley Jackson was born in San Francisco, California, U.S.

  • What is Shirley Jackson nationalities?

    Shirley Jackson's nationalities is American

  • Who is Shirley Jackson spouses?

    Shirley Jackson's spouses is Stanley Edgar Hyman

  • Who is Shirley Jackson siblings?

    Shirley Jackson's siblings is Barry H. Jackson

  • Who is Shirley Jackson childrens?

    Shirley Jackson's childrens is Laurence, Sarah Hyman Stewart

  • What was Shirley Jackson universities?

    Shirley Jackson studied at Syracuse University, Rochester, NY, University of Rochester, BA English, Syracuse University (1940)

  • What was Shirley Jackson notable alumnis?

    Shirley Jackson's notable alumnis is Syracuse University

  • Who is Shirley Jackson's father?

    Shirley Jackson's father is Leslie H. Jackson

  • Who is Shirley Jackson's mother?

    Shirley Jackson's mother is Geraldine B. Jackson

  • What is Shirley Jackson's sun sign?

    Shirley Jackson is Sagittarius

  • How famous is Shirley Jackson?

    Shirley Jackson is famouse as Author