# Donald Barthelme > American writer, editor, and professor (1931–1989) **Wikidata**: [Q353869](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q353869) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Barthelme) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/donald-barthelme ## Summary Donald Barthelme was an American writer, editor, and professor (1931–1989) known for his innovative short fiction and novels that redefined postmodern American literature. He served as a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and received both a Guggenheim Fellowship and a National Book Award for his literary contributions. ## Biography - **Born**: April 7, 1931 - **Died**: July 23, 1989 - **Nationality**: American (citizenship: United States) - **Education**: University of Houston; University at Buffalo - **Known for**: Pioneering postmodern short fiction and novels; influential editor; university professor - **Employer(s)**: University of Houston; University at Buffalo - **Field(s)**: Literature; creative writing; journalism; editorial work ## Contributions Donald Barthelme was a prolific author who published numerous short story collections and novels throughout his career. His work is characterized by postmodern techniques, dark humor, and satirical examinations of American culture and language. As an editor, he contributed to the literary community through his editorial work. He also served as a professor, mentoring future writers at the University of Houston and University at Buffalo. His literary output included works targeted at both adult and children's audiences, demonstrating his versatility across genres. ## FAQs **What awards did Donald Barthelme receive?** Donald Barthelme was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship and won the National Book Award, recognizing his significant contributions to American literature. He was also elected as a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, an honor society established in 1899. **Where did Donald Barthelme teach?** Donald Barthelme served as a professor at both the University of Houston, a state research university founded in 1927 in Houston, Texas, and the University at Buffalo, a university with campuses in and around Buffalo, NY and Amherst, NY founded in 1846. **Who influenced Donald Barthelme's writing?** Donald Barthelme was influenced by James Joyce, the Irish novelist and poet (1882–1941) best known for groundbreaking modernist works including *Ulysses* (1922) and *Finnegans Wake* (1939). Joyce pioneered stream-of-consciousness narration and linguistic experimentation that influenced generations of writers. **What genres did Donald Barthelme write in?** Donald Barthelme wrote across multiple genres including short stories, novels, and children's literature. His occupations spanned writer, novelist, short story writer, children's writer, reporter, journalist, and philosopher, reflecting his diverse literary engagements. ## Why They Matter Donald Barthelme matters as one of the most influential American postmodern writers of the latter half of the 20th century. His innovative approach to fiction—characterized by fragmentation, pastiche, and playfulness—helped define postmodern American literature and influenced subsequent generations of writers. His recognition through prestigious awards including the Guggenheim Fellowship and National Book Award, along with his election to the American Academy of Arts and Letters, cement his place in American literary history. As both a practicing writer and academic professor, he contributed to the development of contemporary American fiction while also shaping the next generation of writers through his teaching at major universities. ## Notable For - Guggenheim Fellowship recipient - National Book Award winner - Member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters - Professor at University of Houston and University at Buffalo - Author of innovative postmodern short fiction and novels - Versatile writer spanning adult fiction, children's literature, and journalism ## Body ### Early Life and Background Donald Barthelme was born on April 7, 1931, in the United States. As an American writer coming of age in the mid-20th century, he would become part of a generation of authors who grappled with and ultimately reshaped American literary conventions through postmodern experimentation. ### Educational Background Barthelme pursued higher education at two notable American universities. He attended the University of Houston, a state research university located in Houston, Texas, founded in 1927 and classified as a doctoral university with very high research activity. He also received education at the University at Buffalo, which has campuses in Buffalo, NY and Amherst, NY and was founded in 1846. These educational institutions provided him with the intellectual foundation for his later literary career. ### Literary Career and Occupations Donald Barthelme's professional life encompassed multiple literary roles. He worked as a writer, using written words to communicate ideas and produce literary works. As a novelist, he authored books of fiction, and as a short story writer, he focused on the shorter fiction form. His versatility extended to children's literature, making him one of the more diverse American writers of his generation. Additionally, he worked as a reporter and journalist, collecting and reporting information, and engaged in philosophical inquiry, demonstrating the breadth of his intellectual pursuits. ### Academic Career Beyond his writing, Barthelme served as a professor at major American universities. At the University of Houston, he joined an institution that as of 2020 served 47,090 students and employed 5,520 individuals. The university is noted for its high research activity classification and was integrated in 1962, marking its historical significance. He also taught at the University at Buffalo, further contributing to the academic development of aspiring writers. ### Literary Influences and Context Barthelme was influenced by James Joyce, the Irish novelist and poet (1882–1941) whose groundbreaking modernist works including *Ulysses* (1922) and *Finnegans Wake* (1939) redefined literary experimentation through stream-of-consciousness narration, interior monologue, and linguistic play. Joyce's influence on Barthelme reflects the broader transmission of modernist techniques into American postmodern fiction. ### Recognition and Awards Donald Barthelme received several prestigious recognitions throughout his career. He was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, a grant in the arts awarded annually since 1925 to distinguished artists and scholars. He won the National Book Award, a United States literary award established in 1936 that recognizes excellence in five categories. Most notably, he was elected as a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, an honor society founded in 1899 that represents the highest recognition of artistic and intellectual achievement in the United States. ### Death and Legacy Donald Barthelme died on July 23, 1989, concluding a career that spanned multiple decades and genres. His work left an indelible mark on American literature, influencing subsequent generations of writers who continued to explore the postmodern possibilities of fiction that he helped pioneer. His dual legacy as both a celebrated author and an educator who shaped future writers through his university teaching represents his lasting contribution to American cultural life. ## References 1. Integrated Authority File 2. LIBRIS. 2018 3. BnF authorities 4. The Fine Art Archive 5. [Source](https://www.nationalbook.org/books/the-slightly-irregular-fire-engine-or-the-hithering-thithering-djinn/) 6. International Standard Name Identifier 7. Virtual International Authority File 8. CiNii Research 9. OPAC SBN 10. Encyclopædia Britannica Online 11. Internet Speculative Fiction Database 12. Babelio 13. NooSFere 14. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie 15. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana 16. Proleksis Encyclopedia 17. Munzinger Personen 18. Vegetti Catalog of Fantastic Literature 19. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 20. [Source](https://nebulas.sfwa.org/award-year/1965/) 21. Quora