Shirley Jackson was an American author born on December 14, 1916, in San Francisco, California. She grew up to be a leading figure in 20th-century literature, known for her works of horror and mystery. Jackson attended Syracuse University, where her writing talent began to flourish, leading to the publication of her first short story in a campus magazine.
Jackson's writing is celebrated for its use of dark psychological themes, domestic horror, and the supernatural. Her most famous short story, "The Lottery" (1948), is a harrowing tale of ritualistic violence in a small town, which stunned readers with its macabre twist and commentary on conformity and tradition.
Her novels include "The Haunting of Hill House" (1959), which is a quintessential piece of haunting fiction that has been adapted into films and a television series, and "We Have Always Lived in the Castle" (1962), a gothic mystery involving family ostracism and intrigue.
Beyond fiction, Jackson also penned humorous essays about her family life that appeared in magazines such as The New Yorker and Good Housekeeping. Her works delve into the complexities of human nature and reflect her fascination with the social sciences.
Shirley Jackson struggled with health issues and passed away on August 8, 1965. She left behind a powerful legacy that continues to influence the horror genre and a body of work that reveals the extraordinary in the ordinary, and the unsettling truths lurking within the everyday.
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