Richard Yates (novelist)

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Richard Yates (February 3, 1926 - November 7, 1992) was an American novelist and short story writer, a chronicler of mid-20th century mainstream American life, often cited as artistically residing somewhere between J.D. Salinger and John Cheever. Yates first became interested in journalism and writing while attending Avon Old Farms School in Avon, Connecticut.

1 Career
2 Trivia
3 Bibliography
4 External links

[edit] Career

Born in Yonkers, New York, Richard Yates lived by his pen throughout his life, working as a journalist, freelance ghost writer (briefly also for Senator Robert Kennedy) and publicity writer, eventually starting his career as a novelist in 1961 with the publication of Revolutionary Road. His short stories are considered among the finest of the 20th Century. Despite this, only one of his short stories appeared in the The New Yorker. This story, "The Canal," was published in the magazine nine years after the author's death to celebrate the 2001 release of The Collected Stories of Richard Yates.

Twice divorced and the father of three daughters, Yates died of emphysema in Birmingham, Alabama. It has been generally assumed that his heavy drinking and smoking of four packs a day contributed decisively to his premature death at age 66.

[edit] Trivia

Richard Yates was portrayed in an episode of Seinfeld as "Alton Benes", Elaine's taciturn and hard-driving father who has George and Jerry scared of him. Yates' daughter, Monica, once dated Larry David, the show's executive producer.

In the movie Lonesome Jim the protagonist cites him as one of his favorite authors, and adds that when Yates died all his book were out of print.

In Woody Allen's Hannah and Her Sisters the Barbara Hershey character thanks the Michael Caine character for lending her The Easter Parade, which she says was great.