# Wallace Stegner

> American historian, writer, and environmentalist (1909-1993)

**Wikidata**: [Q203460](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q203460)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallace_Stegner)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/wallace-stegner

## Summary
Wallace Stegner was an American historian, novelist, and environmentalist who lived from 1909 to 1993. He is best known for his contributions to Western American literature and the environmental movement, earning major accolades including the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the National Book Award.

## Biography
- **Born:** February 18, 1909
- **Died:** April 13, 1993
- **Nationality:** United States
- **Education:** Attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Harvard University, and the University of Iowa.
- **Known for:** Writing, historical scholarship, and environmental advocacy.
- **Employer(s):** Harvard University, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Stanford University, University of Utah.
- **Field(s):** History, Literature, Environmentalism.
- **Aliases:** Wallace Earle Stegner, Wallace E. Stegner.

## Contributions
Wallace Stegner produced a significant body of literary work beginning his work period in 1937. His contributions include:
*   **Fiction:** Authored numerous novels, recognized with the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the National Book Award.
*   **Short Stories:** Received the O. Henry Award for his short story contributions.
*   **Non-Fiction:** Wrote biographical and historical works, recognized by the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards.
*   **Environmental Advocacy:** Acted as a prominent environmentalist and naturalist, influencing the United States environmental movement.

## FAQs
**What awards did Wallace Stegner receive?**
Stegner received the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the National Book Award for his literary achievements. He also won the O. Henry Award for short stories, the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards, and a Guggenheim Fellowship.

**Where did Wallace Stegner work and study?**
He worked at Harvard University, the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Stanford University, and the University of Utah. He studied at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Harvard University, and the University of Iowa.

**Was Wallace Stegner involved in organizations outside of his university work?**
Yes, he was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

## Why They Matter
Wallace Stegner matters as a defining voice of the American West, bridging the gap between literary artistry and environmental consciousness. His work provided a moral and historical framework for understanding the Western landscape, influencing generations of writers, historians, and conservationists. As a teacher at institutions like Stanford, he shaped the careers of countless authors, while his non-fiction work laid intellectual groundwork for modern environmental policy in the United States. His legacy endures through his novels, which continue to be seminal texts in American literature, and through his advocacy, which helped cement the importance of wilderness preservation.

## Notable For
- **Pulitzer Prize for Fiction:** Received the United States' most prestigious literary award.
- **National Book Award:** Won for distinguished works of fiction.
- **Guggenheim Fellowship:** Awarded a grant in the arts for his contributions.
- **O. Henry Award:** Recognized for excellence in short story writing.
- **Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards:** Honored for his literary work.
- **Eagle Scout:** Achieved the Boy Scouting's highest award.
- **Academic Leadership:** Served as a faculty member at Stanford University, Harvard University, University of Wisconsin–Madison, and University of Utah.
- **Academy Memberships:** Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
- **Environmental Advocacy:** Recognized as a key figure in the environmental movement.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Wallace Stegner was born on February 18, 1909. He pursued higher education at several prestigious institutions in the United States. He attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, a public research university founded in 1848. He also studied at Harvard University, a private university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, established in 1636. Additionally, he was educated at the University of Iowa, a public research university in Iowa City founded in 1847.

### Academic Career
Stegner had a distinguished academic career, serving as a faculty member and employee at multiple major universities. He worked at the University of Utah, a public coeducational space-grant research university in Salt Lake City founded in 1850. He also held positions at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Harvard University. His longest and perhaps most notable association was with Stanford University, a private research university in Stanford, California, founded in 1885, where he was a key figure in the creative writing program.

### Literary Works and Awards
Stegner's career as a writer and novelist began in earnest around 1937. He received the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, a United States literary award established in 1948. He also won the National Book Award, a literary award in five categories established in 1936. His skill in short fiction was recognized with the O. Henry Award, an American award for short stories established in 1919. Furthermore, he received the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards, a US literary award established in 1935. He was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, a grant in the arts awarded annually.

### Organizational Affiliations
Stegner was a member of elite scholarly and artistic societies. He belonged to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a United States honorary society and policy research center founded in 1780. He was also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, an honor society founded in 1899.

### Personal Life and Death
Wallace Stegner died on April 13, 1993. He held citizenship in the United States. Earlier in his life, he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, the Boy Scouting's highest award, which was established in 1911.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Integrated Authority File
3. [Source](https://www.nationalbook.org/books/the-spectator-bird/)
4. Guggenheim Fellows database
5. [Fiction - The Pulitzer Prizes](https://www.pulitzer.org/prize-winners-by-category/219)
6. [Source](https://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/2031276)
7. International Standard Name Identifier
8. Virtual International Authority File
9. CiNii Research
10. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
11. SNAC
12. Babelio
13. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
14. CONOR.SI
15. Autoritats UB
16. Goodreads
17. LIBRIS. 2011