Shirley Jackson

About

American author of the eerie short story, "The Lottery," a tale that exposes the sinister side of a seemingly pleasant town. She is also famous for her 1959 novel, The Haunting of Hill House, which was later adapted into the popular horror film, The Haunting.

Before Fame

She grew up in California and relocated to New York for college, studying first at the University of Rochester and later at Syracuse University. She published the short story collection that contained "The Lottery" in 1949.

Trivia

Her short stories, which include "All the Girls were Dancing," "Come Along with Me," and "The Strangers," are famous for being very disturbing.

Family Life

She married literary critic Stanley Edgar Hyman; together, they had four children (Laurence, Joanne, Sarah, and Barry).

Associated With

She influenced future horror writers such as Stephen King.