Benedict Thielen
Benedict Thielen was an American writer born on April 29, 1903, in Newark, New Jersey, to German immigrant parents. He demonstrated academic prowess early on, entering Princeton University at sixteen and earning both a bachelor's and a master's degree. Following the loss of his parents, he traveled extensively in Europe, where he lived in various countries for several years, enriching his cultural perspective. Thielen's literary career began in the mid-1920s, with his stories published in esteemed magazines like The New Yorker and Harper's Bazaar. His novels, including "Deep Streets" and "Women in the Sun," received critical acclaim, showcasing his ability to create diverse characters and explore complex themes. Throughout his life, Thielen balanced his writing with hobbies like scuba diving and marine biology, which greatly influenced his work. His authentic storytelling and deep appreciation for nature cemented his status as a significant literary figure of his time.
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Benedict Thielen
- Born: April 29, 1903
- Birthplace: Newark, New Jersey
- Died: September 26, 1965
Biography
Benedict Thielen was born in Newark, New Jersey, on April 29, 1903. His parents, banker Henry J. Thielen and Theodora Prieth Thielen, were German immigrants. He lived with his parents and his widowed maternal grandmother and attended the local schools. At the age of sixteen, he entered Princeton University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1923 and a master’s degree the following year. His mother died in 1923, and his father died five years later. Thielen was then taken in by a wealthy uncle, Lothar Faber.
After earning his master’s degree, Thielen embarked on an extensive trip through Europe. He lived in Paris for eighteen months, then spent the next five years in France, England, Italy, Germany, and several other countries. In July, 1930, he married painter Virginia Berresford and the couple moved to New York City, where they lived for several years before moving to Key West and Martha’s Vineyard. After eighteen years of marriage, the couple divorced. Theilen married Helen Close shortly after his divorce and her son from a previous marriage became his stepson.
Thielen was a disciplined writer who maintained a schedule that enabled him to write and to enjoy his hobbies, scuba diving and marine biology. His islands residences not only allowed him to pursue his hobbies but also to absorb the life of the islands and the beauty of the sea. One of his most memorable stories, “A House By the Sea,” recounts how Thielen and his wife, Virginia, survived a devastating hurricane that destroyed their new home and resulted in the drowning death of their Jamaican cook.
Thielen began writing short stories around 1924 while he lived in Europe. From the beginning his stories were published in magazines such as The New Yorker, Harper’s Bazaar, Scribner’s, Town and Country, and many other quality publications. He published his first novel, Deep Streets, in 1932, and a year later he published his critically acclaimed second novel, Women in the Sun. Theilen continued to write throughout his life, but many of his short stories were never published. His work is distinguished by the rich variety of characters and themes and the wide range of human values that inform his writing. Thielen’s fiction is immensely appealing because of his extensive knowledge of European languages and culture, his admiration for nature, and his lifelong dedication to reading. His writing had a true sense of authenticity that made him one of the most important literary voices of his time.