Thornton Wilder Biography

Thornton Niven Wilder was born in Madison, Wisconsin on April 17, 1897. He was the son of Amos Parker Wilder and Isabella Niven Wilder. His twin brother died at birth. Wilder grew up with an older brother, Amos, and three younger sisters, Charlotte, Isabel, and Janet. Throughout his life he became a newspaper editor, diplomat, and a Calvinist. In 1906 his family moved to Hong Kong, where his father had been appointed American Consul General. After six months …

…of the Younkers” was revised under the new title of “The Matchmaker”. In 1964 the musical comedy “Hello Dolly”, based on the play, was opened in New York. In 1962 Wilder received the first National Medal for Literature at a special White House ceremony. His last two novels were “The Eighth Day”, and “Theophilus North”. He died on December 7, 1975, in Hamden Connecticut, where he had lived off and on for many years with his sister Isabel Wilder.