Peter Straub
- Born:
- March 2, 1943, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
- Died:
- September 4, 2022, New York City, New York, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Author, Poet
Early Life and Education
- Straub was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the son of Gordon Anthony Straub and Elnora (née Hauk).
- He narrowly avoided being killed by a car at the age of seven. This experience deeply affected him and became a recurring theme in his work.
- He graduated from Milwaukee Country Day School in 1961.
- He earned a B.A. in English from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1965.
- He received an M.A. from Columbia University in 1966.
- Briefly taught English at Milwaukee Country Day School.
Career and Major Achievements
- Began his writing career focusing initially on poetry.
- Published two poetry collections, My Own Place (1972) and Open Air (1972).
- Transitioned to horror fiction with his novel Julia (1975), initially published as Full Circle.
- Gained significant recognition with his horror novels Ghost Story (1979) and Shadowland (1980).
- Collaborated with Stephen King on two novels: The Talisman (1984) and Black House (2001).
- Won the Bram Stoker Award multiple times for works such as Koko (1988), Lost Boy Lost Girl (2003), and A Dark Matter (2010).
- Received the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 2010.
Notable Works
- Julia (1975)
- If You Could See Me Now (1977)
- Ghost Story (1979)
- Shadowland (1980)
- The Talisman (with Stephen King, 1984)
- Koko (1988)
- Mystery (1990)
- The Throat (1993)
- Black House (with Stephen King, 2001)
- Lost Boy Lost Girl (2003)
- A Dark Matter (2010)
Legacy and Impact
Peter Straub was a highly influential figure in modern horror literature. His nuanced characters, sophisticated prose, and psychological depth elevated the genre. The impact of his novels, particularly Ghost Story, continues to resonate with readers and writers alike.
This 'peter straub biography' highlights the key milestones of his life and career.