Seymour Krim
Seymour Krim was an influential American writer and essayist born in New York City in 1922. His career began as a reporter for The New Yorker in 1945, after which he held various roles, including publicity writer for Paramount Studios and editorial director of Nugget magazine. Krim was known for his contributions to creative nonfiction and taught at several prestigious institutions, including Columbia University and the University of Iowa. He published several collections of essays, with notable works like *Views of a Nearsighted Cannoneer* (1961) and *Shake It for the World, Smartass* (1970), showcasing his unique voice and perspectives. His writing style drew comparisons to Beat Generation writers, reflecting his belief in literature's power to inspire societal change. Krim's posthumous collection, *What's This Cat's Story?* (1991), features some of his best works, highlighting his impact on American literature. He passed away in 1989, leaving behind a legacy that continues to resonate with readers and writers alike.
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Subject Terms
Seymour Krim
Nonfiction Writer
- Born: May 11, 1922
- Birthplace: New York, New York
- Died: August 30, 1989
- Place of death: New York, New York
Biography
Seymour Krim was born in New York City in 1922. He left New York in 1939 to attend the University of North Carolina, where he remained until the following year. In 1945, Krim started his career as a reporter for The New Yorker magazine. He also worked as a publicity writer for Paramount Studios and was a story editor for Otto Preminger Productions, among other jobs.
Krim was the editorial director of Nugget magazine from 1961 to 1965, when he left that position and spent a year as a reporter for the New York Herald Tribune. After that, Krim settled for the life of a teacher. He taught creative nonfiction at an assortment of schools including University of Iowa, Pennsylvania State University, and Columbia University.
Krim was also a somewhat successful essayist. He edited collections of essays, including Manhattan: Stories from the Heart of a Great City in 1954, and The Beats in 1960. The first publication of his own work was Views of a Nearsighted Cannoneer, a collection of autobiographical essays that appeared in 1961.
Two other collections of his essays were published during Krim’s life: Shake It for the World, Smartass (1970), and You and Me (1974). What’s This Cat’s Story?: The Best of Seymour Krim, was published posthumously in 1991; this book contains some of his essays and articles that had appeared in publications like the The Village Voice, Chicago Tribune, and The Washington Post. Stylistically, Krim is often compared to Beat writers such as Jack Kerouac, and he believed his writing could serve as a means to bring about changes in society. Krim died in 1989.