Shirley Hardie Jackson
- Born:
- December 14, 1916, San Francisco, California, USA
- Died:
- August 8, 1965, North Bennington, Vermont, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Author, Novelist, Short Story Writer
Early Life and Education
- Grew up in Burlingame, California, and later Rochester, New York.
- Attended Brighton High School in Rochester.
- Briefly attended the University of Rochester before transferring to Syracuse University.
- Graduated from Syracuse University in 1940 with a Bachelor of Arts in English.
Career and Major Achievements
- Began her writing career publishing short stories in magazines.
- Known for her mastery of psychological suspense and horror.
- Her short story, "The Lottery," published in 1948, generated significant controversy and widespread attention.
- Wrote several novels that explore themes of identity, isolation, and social anxieties.
- Taught writing workshops at Bennington College.
Notable Works
- Novels:
- The Road Through the Wall (1948)
- Hangsaman (1951)
- The Bird's Nest (1954)
- The Haunting of Hill House (1959)
- We Have Always Lived in the Castle (1962)
- Short Story Collections:
- The Lottery and Other Stories (1949)
- Come Along With Me (1968) (posthumous)
- Non-Fiction:
- Life Among the Savages (1953)
- Raising Demons (1957)
Legacy and Impact
Shirley Jackson remains a significant figure in American literature. Her chilling explorations of the human psyche and societal darkness continue to influence writers and filmmakers. Many regard the 'biography of a story shirley jackson' as a testament to her skill in crafting narratives of suspense and psychological horror. Her work is celebrated for its atmospheric settings, complex characters, and unsettling themes.
Adaptations of Her Work
| Title | Year | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Haunting | 1963 | Film | Based on The Haunting of Hill House |
| The Lottery | 1969 | Short Film | A faithful adaptation of the short story. |
| The Haunting | 1999 | Film | Another adaptation of The Haunting of Hill House |
| We Have Always Lived in the Castle | 2018 | Film | Based on the novel of the same name. |
| The Haunting of Hill House | 2018 | TV Series | Netflix series, loosely based on the novel. |
| Shirley | 2020 | Film | A fictionalized account of Jackson's life during the writing of Hangsaman |