Biography of August Wilson
Frederick August Kittel, later known as August Wilson, was born April 27th, 1945 in Pittsburg, PA to a German father and an African-American mother. Wilson does not recall seeing his father much, as his mother primarily raised him after his parents divorced. During his early life in Pittsburg, he switched high schools on four different occasions as a result of problems caused by racial discriminations.
Wilson eventually dropped out of high school after being accused of plagiarizing a paper that he himself had written at age sixteen. He then educated himself at the Carnegie Pittsburg Library and eventually earned a high school diploma. It was also during this time that Wilson found he was very inclined towards reading plays that were available in the library, and he further went on to begin writing poetry. He eventually changed his pen name to August Wilson after the death of his father. Soon after, he married Brenda Burton, and had one daughter named Sakina. The two divorced several years later.
He began immersing himself in the theater, and even co-founded a black arts theater where his first plays were featured. Among those were “Jitney” and “Recycling.” During this time, he sought much inspiration from the black power movements.
Wilson eventually became very close friends with theater director Lloyd Richards, who appreciated his plays and helped Wilson’s recognition by circulating his plays through various institutions, such as Yale. Richards went on to direct many of Wilson’s plays that would be featured on Broadway, including the renown play Fences. A great majority of Wilson's major plays were featured on broadway as well.
August Wilson went on to win two Pulitzer Prizes for both Fences and The Piano Lesson and countless other awards and recognitions for his works.
Wilson died on October 2, 2005 in Seattle, Washington five months after being diagnosed with liver cancer. His legacy undoubtably still lives on through his incredibly insightful and eye-opening works.
Here is a link to view a list of Wilson's prizes and recognitions.
Wilson eventually dropped out of high school after being accused of plagiarizing a paper that he himself had written at age sixteen. He then educated himself at the Carnegie Pittsburg Library and eventually earned a high school diploma. It was also during this time that Wilson found he was very inclined towards reading plays that were available in the library, and he further went on to begin writing poetry. He eventually changed his pen name to August Wilson after the death of his father. Soon after, he married Brenda Burton, and had one daughter named Sakina. The two divorced several years later.
He began immersing himself in the theater, and even co-founded a black arts theater where his first plays were featured. Among those were “Jitney” and “Recycling.” During this time, he sought much inspiration from the black power movements.
Wilson eventually became very close friends with theater director Lloyd Richards, who appreciated his plays and helped Wilson’s recognition by circulating his plays through various institutions, such as Yale. Richards went on to direct many of Wilson’s plays that would be featured on Broadway, including the renown play Fences. A great majority of Wilson's major plays were featured on broadway as well.
August Wilson went on to win two Pulitzer Prizes for both Fences and The Piano Lesson and countless other awards and recognitions for his works.
Wilson died on October 2, 2005 in Seattle, Washington five months after being diagnosed with liver cancer. His legacy undoubtably still lives on through his incredibly insightful and eye-opening works.
Here is a link to view a list of Wilson's prizes and recognitions.