William Wharton

About

A twentieth-century American author, he is best known for his Pulitzer Prize-nominated novel, Birdy, which became an Alan Parker-directed film. His other works include Dad, A Midnight Clear, and Lost Lovers.

Before Fame

He fought in World War II and was wounded during the Battle of the Bulge. He later studied psychology at the University of California-Los Angeles.

Trivia

His famous debut novel, Birdy, published when he was in his fifties, won the U.S. National Book Award.

Family Life

He grew up in a working-class Catholic family in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He married Rosemary Henry in 1955.

Associated With

His novel, Birdy, was made into a film starring Nicolas Cage.