Mark Schorer
Mark Schorer was a notable American novelist, essayist, and literary critic, recognized for his contributions to literature and academia. Born in Wisconsin, he pursued his education at the University of Wisconsin, where he earned both his A.B. and Ph.D. Schorer published his first novel, "A House Too Old," in 1935, which reflects on a Wisconsin town's history and the themes of the American Dream and democracy. His second novel, "The Hermit Place," released in 1941, delves into the complex relationships between two sisters and a man whose mysterious death impacts their lives.
In addition to his fiction writing, Schorer collaborated with fellow author August Derleth on several science fiction stories. He held teaching positions at prestigious institutions including Dartmouth College, Harvard University, and the University of California, Berkeley. Schorer's biography of Sinclair Lewis is considered a definitive work on the acclaimed author's life and career. Throughout his career, he received multiple awards, including Fulbright fellowships and a Commonwealth Club Gold Medal Award. Schorer was also active in academic organizations, serving on various councils. He was married to Ruth and had two children, further highlighting his personal life alongside his professional achievements.
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Mark Schorer
Author
- Born: May 17, 1908
- Birthplace: Sauk City, Wisconsin
- Died: August 11, 1977
- Place of death: Oakland, California
Biography
Mark Schorer, a native of Wisconsin, was a novelist, essayist, short fiction writer, literary critic, and well-respected biographer of the author Sinclair Lewis. He received his A.B. and Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin, publishing his first novel, A House Too Old (1935), while still in graduate school. The story follows the history of a Wisconsin town through one hundred years of its existence and explores both the American Dream and demise of democracy. Schorer’s second novel, The Hermit Place (1941), is more psychological in nature as it concerns two sisters in love with the same man, an aviator who perishes under mysterious circumstances.
Schorer began a collaboration with his longtime friend, August Derleth, publishing such science fiction stories as “Spawn of the Maestrom” and “Lair of the Star-Spawn” in pulp magazines. Schorer went on to teach at Darmouth College and Harvard University from 1936 through 1945, and then at the University of California, Berkeley. In addition to his extensive teaching and writing career, Schorer received numerous awards, including Fulbright fellowships in 1964 and 1967, multiple Guggenheim Memorial fellowships, and a Commonwealth Club Gold Medal Award in 1961.
Scholars consider Schorer’s biography, Sinclair Lewis: An American Life, the definitive study of Lewis’s career and personal life. A distinguished scholar, Schorer served on the executive council of the Modern Language Association from 1962 to 1966 and on the board of directors for the American Council of Learned Societies from 1970 to 1972. Schorer and his wife Ruth, had two children, daughter Suki and son Page.