William Finnegan
William Finnegan
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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William Finnegan is a well-known American journalist, author, and surfer. His full name is William James Finnegan.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born on April 27, 1952, in San Mateo, California, USA.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Finnegan holds dual citizenship of the United States and Ireland. He works as a staff writer for The New Yorker magazine and has written extensively on various subjects, including surfing, politics, and social justice.
Early Life and Background
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Growing up in San Mateo, Finnegan developed an early passion for surfing. His love for the ocean and its rhythms had a profound impact on his life and writing. After graduating from high school, he attended Princeton University but eventually dropped out to pursue a career as a professional surfer.
Finnegan traveled extensively throughout his 20s, competing in various surf competitions around the world while honing his skills as a writer. He began submitting articles to Surfer magazine and quickly established himself as a talented young journalist.
Major Accomplishments
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Some of Finnegan's notable works include:
The Perfect Wave: A memoir about his experiences traveling the globe in search of the ultimate surfing experience.
Barrel: The Quest for the Perfect Ride: A book that explores the world of big wave surfing, highlighting Finnegan's own adventures and those of other pioneering surfers.
Cold New World: A collection of essays that explore various themes, from politics to personal relationships.
Finnegan has received numerous awards for his writing, including the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing in 2010. His work often appears in The New Yorker, where he is a staff writer and contributing editor.
Notable Works or Actions
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"Pulitzer Prize Winner (2010): Finnegan's feature story "The Reaper" earned him the prestigious Pulitzer Prize, solidifying his reputation as one of America's leading journalists.
Staff Writer at The New Yorker: His tenure at The New Yorker has seen numerous notable publications, cementing his position within the world of American journalism.
Impact and Legacy
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Finnegan's writing often explores themes of identity, politics, and social justice. His experiences as a surfer have given him a unique perspective on the world, which he brings to bear in all aspects of his work. Through his writing, Finnegan has shed light on many important issues, making him one of the most respected voices in contemporary journalism.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Finnegan's writing is widely read and admired due to its unique blend of storytelling, insight, and depth. His experiences as a surfer have allowed him to explore complex themes from unexpected angles, making his work both engaging and thought-provoking.
Through his tireless reporting and dedication to social justice, Finnegan has established himself as a leading figure in American journalism. As a writer and storyteller, he continues to inspire readers around the world with his unforgettable prose.
Quotes by William Finnegan
William Finnegan's insights on:
Hands folded under my chin, I drifted. A bruise-colored cloud hung over Koko Head. A transistor radio twanged on a seawall where a Hawaiian family picnicked on the sand. The sun-warmed shallow water had a strange boiled-vegetable taste. The moment was immense, still, glittering, mundane. I tried to fix each of its parts in memory. I did not consider, even passingly, that I had a choice when it came to surfing. My enchantment would take me where it would.
And I saw surfing that day – by Leslie Wong, among others – that made my chest hurt: long moments of grace under pressure that felt etched deep in my being: what I wanted, somehow, more than anything else. That night, while my family slept, I lay awake on the bamboo-framed couch, heart pounding with residual adrenaline, listening restlessly to the rain.
It was, once again, a glorious wave, with hues in its depths so intense they felt like first editions – ocean colors never seen before, made solely for this wave, this moment, perhaps never to be seen again.
I copied out a passage from Lord Jim: “We wander in our thousands over the face of the earth, the illustrious and the obscure, earning beyond the seas our fame, our money, or only a crust of bread; but it seems to me that for each of us going home must be like going to render an account.
Being friends as in writing letters was so much easier than being friends as in living together.
Being adjacent to that much beauty – more than adjacent; immersed in, pierced by it – was the point. The physical risks were footnotes.