Stephen Vincent Benét
Stephen Vincent Benét
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Stephen Vincent Benét was born as Stephen Vincent Benet on July 22, 1898, in New York City, USA. He is often referred to by his initials, SVB.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born: July 22, 1898
Died: March 13, 1943
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Stephen Vincent Benét was an American novelist, poet, essayist, and historian. His diverse literary pursuits showcased his versatile talent.
Early Life and Background
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Growing up in a creative family environment had a profound impact on Stephen Vincent Benét's life. His father, James Walker Benet, was the managing editor of _Vanity Fair_ magazine, and his mother, Paula de St. Elmo, came from a literary background. This exposure instilled in him an appreciation for literature and encouraged his early writing endeavors.
As a child, SVB spent summers on Long Island, where he developed a love for nature and the outdoors. These experiences later influenced his writings about American culture and history. His early education took place at Phillips Exeter Academy before attending Yale University, where he began to hone his literary skills.
Major Accomplishments
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Stephen Vincent Benét's writing career was marked by numerous achievements:
Awards: He received the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1930 for _The Scarlet Plague_ and again in 1944 (posthumously) for _By-Line: Ernest Hemingway_.
Notable Works: Some of his most notable works include:
_The Scarlet Plague_ (1920): A dystopian novel exploring the aftermath of a deadly plague on society.
_American Episode, or Up in Connecticut_ (1942): A collection of short stories showcasing everyday American life during World War II.
Notable Works or Actions
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In addition to his literary pursuits, SVB was involved in various notable endeavors:
WWII Efforts: During World War II, he worked for the Office of War Information, producing radio broadcasts and pamphlets to boost morale and educate Americans about global events.
Committee Work: He also served on the American Writers Congress, advocating for writers' rights and encouraging cultural exchange.
Impact and Legacy
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Stephen Vincent Benét's impact on literature is profound:
American Literature: SVB made significant contributions to American literary landscape with his exploration of themes like identity, morality, and social change.
Influence: He inspired a generation of writers with his versatility and commitment to exploring the human condition.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Stephen Vincent Benét's enduring legacy is attributed to:
Timeless Themes: His works dealt with universal themes that remain relevant today, such as love, loss, and resilience.
Masterful Storytelling: SVB's writing style was characterized by vivid descriptions of characters and settings, drawing readers into his imaginative world.
By incorporating these elements, we can see why Stephen Vincent Benét is widely quoted or remembered – his work has stood the test of time, offering insights into the human experience that continue to captivate audiences.
Quotes by Stephen Vincent Benét
Stephen Vincent Benét's insights on:
Trouble with women. Can't do any art and be married if you're in love with your wife.
We cannot be a house divided - divided in will, divided in interest, divided in soul. We cannot be a house divided and live.
You call my candidate a horse thief, and I call yours a lunatic, and we both of us know it's just till election day. It's an American custom, like eating corn on the cob. And, afterwards, we settle down quite peaceably and agree we've got a pretty good country - until next election.
We cannot afford the creeping paralysis that destroys the effective will of democracy - the paralysis carried by hate and rancor, between class and class, person and person, party and party, as plague is carried through the streets of a town.
Treat a boy like a fool and he'll act like a fool, I say, but there's some folks need convincing.
Let us be bold enough and free enough to follow the great examples - the men of good will and honor who put aside little ways and petty hatreds to build the American dream.
We can no longer take our own way of life for granted - we know that it may be challenged. And we know this, too - and know it ever more deeply - we know that freedom and democracy are not just big words mouthed by orators but the rain and the wind and the sun, the air and the light by which we breathe and live.
You can't do business with a man who doesn't know the meaning of a contract. You can't do business with a firm who swears they'll do one thing one day and does just the opposite the next. You can't do business with a company who takes your goods on a cash basis and then pays you off in bum harmonicas.
You can't depend on the kind of folks people think they are - you've got to go by what they do. And I wouldn't give much for a man that some folks hadn't thought was a fool, in his time.
I have fallen in love with American names, the sharp names that never get fat.