William Saroyan
- 1908-1981
William Saroyan was an Armenian-American writer born in Fresno, California. He authored novels, plays, and children's literature. After his father's death at age three, Saroyan and his siblings spent several years in an orphanage before reuniting with their mother. He began working at a young age and left school at fifteen, educating himself through reading. His first play was staged in 1939 by the Theatre Guild in New York. In 1940, Saroyan declined the Pulitzer Prize awarded for his second play, believing it was no better than his other works, but accepted the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award. The play was later adapted into a film. In 1943, he received the Academy Award for Best Story for the film adaptation of his novel "The Human Comedy." Saroyan was a colorful personality, writing for both adults and children.
