Mary Flannery O'Connor was an American writer and essayist. An important voice
Mary Flannery O'Connor was an American writer and essayist. An important voice

in American literature, she wrote two novels and 32 short stories, as well as
in American literature, she wrote two novels and 32 short stories, as well as

a number of reviews and commentaries. She was a Southern writer who often
a number of reviews and commentaries. She was a Southern writer who often

wrote in a Southern Gothic style and relied heavily on regional settings and
wrote in a Southern Gothic style and relied heavily on regional settings and

grotesque characters. Her writing also reflected her own Roman Catholic faith,
grotesque characters. Her writing also reflected her own Roman Catholic faith,

and frequently examined questions of morality and ethics.
and frequently examined questions of morality and ethics.

O'Connor's Complete Stories won the 1972 U.S. National Book Award for Fiction and
O'Connor's Complete Stories won the 1972 U.S. National Book Award for Fiction and

was named the "Best of the National Book Awards" by Internet visitors in 2009.
was named the "Best of the National Book Awards" by Internet visitors in 2009.

Early years and education O'Connor was born on March 25, 1925, in
Early years and education O'Connor was born on March 25, 1925, in

Savannah, Georgia, the only child of Edward F. O'Connor, a real estate agent,
Savannah, Georgia, the only child of Edward F. O'Connor, a real estate agent,

and Regina Cline. She described herself as a "pigeon-toed child with a receding
and Regina Cline. She described herself as a "pigeon-toed child with a receding

chin and a you-leave-me-alone-or-I'll-bite-you
chin and a you-leave-me-alone-or-I'll-bite-you

complex." When she was six, living at a home still standing, she experienced her
complex." When she was six, living at a home still standing, she experienced her

first brush with celebrity status. The Pathé News people filmed "Little Mary
first brush with celebrity status. The Pathé News people filmed "Little Mary

O'Connor" with her trained chicken, and showed the film around the country. She
O'Connor" with her trained chicken, and showed the film around the country. She

said, "When I was six I had a chicken that walked backward and was in the
said, "When I was six I had a chicken that walked backward and was in the

Pathé News. I was in it too with the chicken. I was just there to assist the
Pathé News. I was in it too with the chicken. I was just there to assist the

chicken but it was the high point in my life. Everything since has been an
chicken but it was the high point in my life. Everything since has been an

anticlimax." In 1937, her father was diagnosed with systemic lupus
anticlimax." In 1937, her father was diagnosed with systemic lupus

erythematosus. It led to his eventual death on February 1, 1941, and the
erythematosus. It led to his eventual death on February 1, 1941, and the

15-year-old O'Connor was left devastated.
15-year-old O'Connor was left devastated.

O'Connor attended Peabody High School, where she worked as the school
O'Connor attended Peabody High School, where she worked as the school

newspaper's art editor and from which she graduated in 1942. She entered
newspaper's art editor and from which she graduated in 1942. She entered

Georgia State College for Women, in an accelerated three-year program, and
Georgia State College for Women, in an accelerated three-year program, and

graduated in June 1945 with a Social sciences degree. While at Georgia State
graduated in June 1945 with a Social sciences degree. While at Georgia State

College for Women, she produced a significant amount of cartoon work for
College for Women, she produced a significant amount of cartoon work for

the student newspaper. In 1946, she was accepted into the prestigious Iowa
the student newspaper. In 1946, she was accepted into the prestigious Iowa

Writers' Workshop at the University of Iowa, where she first went to study
Writers' Workshop at the University of Iowa, where she first went to study

journalism. While there she got to know several important writers and critics
journalism. While there she got to know several important writers and critics

who lectured or taught in the program, among them Robert Penn Warren, John
who lectured or taught in the program, among them Robert Penn Warren, John

Crowe Ransom, Robie Macauley, Austin Warren and Andrew Lytle. Lytle, for many
Crowe Ransom, Robie Macauley, Austin Warren and Andrew Lytle. Lytle, for many

years editor of the Sewanee Review, was one of the earliest admirers of her
years editor of the Sewanee Review, was one of the earliest admirers of her

fiction. He later published several of her stories in the Sewanee Review, as
fiction. He later published several of her stories in the Sewanee Review, as

well as critical essays on her work. Workshop director Paul Engle was the
well as critical essays on her work. Workshop director Paul Engle was the

first to read and comment on the initial drafts of what would become Wise Blood.
first to read and comment on the initial drafts of what would become Wise Blood.

During the summer of 1948, O'Connor continued to work on Wise Blood at
During the summer of 1948, O'Connor continued to work on Wise Blood at

Yaddo, an artists' community in Saratoga Springs, New York where she also
Yaddo, an artists' community in Saratoga Springs, New York where she also

completed several short stories. In 1949, O'Connor met and eventually
completed several short stories. In 1949, O'Connor met and eventually

accepted an invitation to stay with Robert Fitzgerald and his wife, Sally,
accepted an invitation to stay with Robert Fitzgerald and his wife, Sally,

in Redding, Connecticut. Career
in Redding, Connecticut. Career

Regarding her emphasis of the grotesque, O'Connor said: "anything that comes out
Regarding her emphasis of the grotesque, O'Connor said: "anything that comes out

of the South is going to be called grotesque by the northern reader, unless
of the South is going to be called grotesque by the northern reader, unless

it is grotesque, in which case it is going to be called realistic." Her texts
it is grotesque, in which case it is going to be called realistic." Her texts

usually take place in the South and revolve around morally flawed
usually take place in the South and revolve around morally flawed

characters, while the issue of race often appears in the background. Most of
characters, while the issue of race often appears in the background. Most of

her works feature disturbing elements, though she did not like to be
her works feature disturbing elements, though she did not like to be

characterized as cynical. "I am tired of reading reviews that call A Good Man
characterized as cynical. "I am tired of reading reviews that call A Good Man

brutal and sarcastic," she writes. "The stories are hard but they are hard
brutal and sarcastic," she writes. "The stories are hard but they are hard

because there is nothing harder or less sentimental than Christian realism...
because there is nothing harder or less sentimental than Christian realism...

when I see these stories described as horror stories I am always amused
when I see these stories described as horror stories I am always amused

because the reviewer always has hold of the wrong horror."
because the reviewer always has hold of the wrong horror."

O'Connor's two novels were Wise Blood and The Violent Bear It Away. She also
O'Connor's two novels were Wise Blood and The Violent Bear It Away. She also

published two books of short stories: A Good Man Is Hard to Find and Everything
published two books of short stories: A Good Man Is Hard to Find and Everything

That Rises Must Converge. She felt deeply informed by the
That Rises Must Converge. She felt deeply informed by the

sacramental, and by the Thomist notion that the created world is charged with
sacramental, and by the Thomist notion that the created world is charged with

God. Yet she would not write apologetic fiction of the kind prevalent in the
God. Yet she would not write apologetic fiction of the kind prevalent in the

Catholic literature of the time, explaining that a writer's meaning must
Catholic literature of the time, explaining that a writer's meaning must

be evident in his or her fiction without didacticism. She wrote ironic, subtly
be evident in his or her fiction without didacticism. She wrote ironic, subtly

allegorical fiction about deceptively backward Southern characters, usually
allegorical fiction about deceptively backward Southern characters, usually

fundamentalist Protestants, who undergo transformations of character that to her
fundamentalist Protestants, who undergo transformations of character that to her

thinking brought them closer to the Catholic mind. The transformation is
thinking brought them closer to the Catholic mind. The transformation is

often accomplished through pain, violence, and ludicrous behavior in the
often accomplished through pain, violence, and ludicrous behavior in the

pursuit of the holy. However grotesque the setting, she tried to portray her
pursuit of the holy. However grotesque the setting, she tried to portray her

characters as they might be touched by divine grace. This ruled out a
characters as they might be touched by divine grace. This ruled out a

sentimental understanding of the stories' violence, as of her own
sentimental understanding of the stories' violence, as of her own

illness. She wrote: "Grace changes us and change is painful." She also had a
illness. She wrote: "Grace changes us and change is painful." She also had a

deeply sardonic sense of humor, often based in the disparity between her
deeply sardonic sense of humor, often based in the disparity between her

characters' limited perceptions and the awesome fate awaiting them. Another
characters' limited perceptions and the awesome fate awaiting them. Another

source of humor is frequently found in the attempt of well-meaning liberals to
source of humor is frequently found in the attempt of well-meaning liberals to

cope with the rural South on their own terms. O'Connor uses such characters'
cope with the rural South on their own terms. O'Connor uses such characters'

inability to come to terms with race, poverty, and fundamentalism, other than
inability to come to terms with race, poverty, and fundamentalism, other than

in sentimental illusions, as an example of the failure of the secular world in
in sentimental illusions, as an example of the failure of the secular world in

the twentieth century. However, several stories reveal that
the twentieth century. However, several stories reveal that

O'Connor was familiar with some of the most sensitive contemporary issues that
O'Connor was familiar with some of the most sensitive contemporary issues that

her liberal and fundamentalist characters might encounter. She
her liberal and fundamentalist characters might encounter. She

addressed the Holocaust in her famous story "The Displaced Person," and racial
addressed the Holocaust in her famous story "The Displaced Person," and racial

integration in "Everything That Rises Must Converge." Her fiction often
integration in "Everything That Rises Must Converge." Her fiction often

included references to the problem of race in the South; occasionally, racial
included references to the problem of race in the South; occasionally, racial

issues come to the forefront, as in "The Artificial Nigger," "Everything that
issues come to the forefront, as in "The Artificial Nigger," "Everything that

Rises Must Converge," and "Judgment Day," her last short story and a
Rises Must Converge," and "Judgment Day," her last short story and a

drastically rewritten version of her first published story, "The Geranium."
drastically rewritten version of her first published story, "The Geranium."

Fragments exist of an unfinished novel tentatively titled Why Do the Heathen
Fragments exist of an unfinished novel tentatively titled Why Do the Heathen

Rage? that draws from several of her short stories, including "Why Do the
Rage? that draws from several of her short stories, including "Why Do the

Heathen Rage?," "The Enduring Chill," and "The Partridge Festival."
Heathen Rage?," "The Enduring Chill," and "The Partridge Festival."

Deteriorating health and death In 1951, O'Connor was diagnosed with
Deteriorating health and death In 1951, O'Connor was diagnosed with

systemic lupus erythematosus, like her father, and subsequently returned to her
systemic lupus erythematosus, like her father, and subsequently returned to her

ancestral farm, Andalusia, in Milledgeville, Georgia. Although
ancestral farm, Andalusia, in Milledgeville, Georgia. Although

expected to live only five more years, she managed fourteen. At Andalusia, she
expected to live only five more years, she managed fourteen. At Andalusia, she

raised and nurtured some 100 peafowl. Fascinated by birds of all kinds, she
raised and nurtured some 100 peafowl. Fascinated by birds of all kinds, she

raised ducks, ostrich, emus, toucans, and any sort of exotic bird she could
raised ducks, ostrich, emus, toucans, and any sort of exotic bird she could

obtain, while incorporating images of peacocks into her books. She describes
obtain, while incorporating images of peacocks into her books. She describes

her peacocks in an essay entitled "The King of the Birds." Despite her
her peacocks in an essay entitled "The King of the Birds." Despite her

sheltered life, her writing reveals an uncanny grasp of the nuances of human
sheltered life, her writing reveals an uncanny grasp of the nuances of human

behavior. She was a devout Catholic living in the "Bible Belt," the
behavior. She was a devout Catholic living in the "Bible Belt," the

Protestant South. She collected books on Catholic theology and at times gave
Protestant South. She collected books on Catholic theology and at times gave

lectures on faith and literature, traveling quite far despite her frail
lectures on faith and literature, traveling quite far despite her frail

health. She also maintained a wide correspondence, including such famous
health. She also maintained a wide correspondence, including such famous

writers as Robert Lowell and Elizabeth Bishop. She never married, relying for
writers as Robert Lowell and Elizabeth Bishop. She never married, relying for

companionship on her correspondence and close relationship with her mother.
companionship on her correspondence and close relationship with her mother.

O'Connor completed more than two dozen short stories and two novels while
O'Connor completed more than two dozen short stories and two novels while

battling lupus. She died on August 3, 1964, at the age of 39, of complications
battling lupus. She died on August 3, 1964, at the age of 39, of complications

from a new attack of lupus following surgery for fibroma, at Baldwin County
from a new attack of lupus following surgery for fibroma, at Baldwin County

Hospital and was buried in Milledgeville, Georgia, at Memory Hill
Hospital and was buried in Milledgeville, Georgia, at Memory Hill

Cemetery. A Catholic life
Cemetery. A Catholic life

From 1956 through 1964, O'Connor wrote more than one hundred book reviews for
From 1956 through 1964, O'Connor wrote more than one hundred book reviews for

two Catholic diocesan newspapers in Georgia: The Bulletin, and The Southern
two Catholic diocesan newspapers in Georgia: The Bulletin, and The Southern

Cross. According to fellow reviewer Joey Zuber, the wide range of books she chose
Cross. According to fellow reviewer Joey Zuber, the wide range of books she chose

to review demonstrated that she was profoundly intellectual. Her reviews
to review demonstrated that she was profoundly intellectual. Her reviews

consistently confront theological and ethical themes in books written by the
consistently confront theological and ethical themes in books written by the

most serious and demanding theologians of her time. Professor of English Carter
most serious and demanding theologians of her time. Professor of English Carter

Martin, an authority on O'Connor's writings, notes simply that her "book
Martin, an authority on O'Connor's writings, notes simply that her "book

reviews are at one with her religious life".
reviews are at one with her religious life".

Works = Novels =
Works = Novels =

Wise Blood, 1952 The Violent Bear It Away, 1960
Wise Blood, 1952 The Violent Bear It Away, 1960

= Short story collections = A Good Man Is Hard to Find, 1955
= Short story collections = A Good Man Is Hard to Find, 1955

Everything That Rises Must Converge, 1965
Everything That Rises Must Converge, 1965

The Life You Save May Be Your Own, The Complete Stories, 1971—National Book
The Life You Save May Be Your Own, The Complete Stories, 1971—National Book

Award = Other works =
Award = Other works =

Mystery and Manners: Occasional Prose, 1969
Mystery and Manners: Occasional Prose, 1969

The Habit of Being: Letters of Flannery O'Connor, 1979
The Habit of Being: Letters of Flannery O'Connor, 1979

The Presence of Grace: and Other Book Reviews, 1983
The Presence of Grace: and Other Book Reviews, 1983

Flannery O'Connor: Collected Works, 1988 A Prayer Journal, edited by W. A.
Flannery O'Connor: Collected Works, 1988 A Prayer Journal, edited by W. A.

Sessions, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2013
Sessions, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2013

Legacy O'Connor's Complete Stories won the 1972
Legacy O'Connor's Complete Stories won the 1972

U.S. National Book Award for Fiction and was named the "Best of the National Book
U.S. National Book Award for Fiction and was named the "Best of the National Book

Awards" by Internet visitors in 2009. The Flannery O'Connor Award for Short
Awards" by Internet visitors in 2009. The Flannery O'Connor Award for Short

Fiction, named in honor of O'Connor by the University of Georgia Press, is a
Fiction, named in honor of O'Connor by the University of Georgia Press, is a

prize given annually since 1983 to an outstanding collection of short stories.
prize given annually since 1983 to an outstanding collection of short stories.

O'Connor was the first fiction writer born in the twentieth century to have
O'Connor was the first fiction writer born in the twentieth century to have

her works collected and published by the Library of America, which occurred in
her works collected and published by the Library of America, which occurred in

1988. O'Connor's best friend, Betty Hester,
1988. O'Connor's best friend, Betty Hester,

received a weekly letter from her for more than a decade. These provided the
received a weekly letter from her for more than a decade. These provided the

bulk of the correspondence collected in The Habit of Being, a selection of the
bulk of the correspondence collected in The Habit of Being, a selection of the

ones edited by Sally Fitzgerald. The reclusive Hester was given the pseudonym
ones edited by Sally Fitzgerald. The reclusive Hester was given the pseudonym

"A.," and her identity was not known until after she killed herself in 1998.
"A.," and her identity was not known until after she killed herself in 1998.

Much of O'Connor's best-known writing on religion, writing, and the South is
Much of O'Connor's best-known writing on religion, writing, and the South is

contained in these and other letters, including letters written to her friends
contained in these and other letters, including letters written to her friends

Brainard Cheney and Samuel Ashley Brown. The complete collection of the unedited
Brainard Cheney and Samuel Ashley Brown. The complete collection of the unedited

letters between O'Connor and Hester was unveiled by Emory University on May 12,
letters between O'Connor and Hester was unveiled by Emory University on May 12,

2007; the letters were given to the university in 1987 with the stipulation
2007; the letters were given to the university in 1987 with the stipulation

that they not be released to the public for 20 years.
that they not be released to the public for 20 years.

In June 2015, the United States Postal Service honored O'Connor with a new
In June 2015, the United States Postal Service honored O'Connor with a new

postage stamp. The stamp, which shows O'Connor as a young woman, went on sale
postage stamp. The stamp, which shows O'Connor as a young woman, went on sale

June 5, 2015. The Flannery O'Connor Book Trail is a
June 5, 2015. The Flannery O'Connor Book Trail is a

series of Little Free Libraries stretching between O'Connor's homes in
series of Little Free Libraries stretching between O'Connor's homes in

Savannah and Milledgeville. The Flannery O'Connor Childhood Home is
Savannah and Milledgeville. The Flannery O'Connor Childhood Home is

a historic house museum in Savannah, Georgia where Flannery O'Connor lived
a historic house museum in Savannah, Georgia where Flannery O'Connor lived

during her childhood. The house is located at 207 E. Charlton Street on
during her childhood. The house is located at 207 E. Charlton Street on

Lafayette Square. Today, in addition to serving as a museum, the house hosts
Lafayette Square. Today, in addition to serving as a museum, the house hosts

several events and programs throughout the year. Their most well-known program
several events and programs throughout the year. Their most well-known program

is the annual Ursrey Memorial Lecture. The Ursrey Memorial Lecture, founded in
is the annual Ursrey Memorial Lecture. The Ursrey Memorial Lecture, founded in

2009 by Mrs. Alene Ursrey, Dr. John Hunt, and Ms. Betsy Cain, includes a
2009 by Mrs. Alene Ursrey, Dr. John Hunt, and Ms. Betsy Cain, includes a

reading and lecture and often educational workshops and gatherings. It
reading and lecture and often educational workshops and gatherings. It

is free and open to the public, and is endowed "in memory of the brothers Terry
is free and open to the public, and is endowed "in memory of the brothers Terry

and Ashley Ursrey, native Georgians who, like Flannery O'Connor, were lifelong
and Ashley Ursrey, native Georgians who, like Flannery O'Connor, were lifelong

devotees of all things Southern, particularly the art of storytelling."
devotees of all things Southern, particularly the art of storytelling."

The US Postal Service's 30th issuance in the Literary Arts Series, a 93 cent
The US Postal Service's 30th issuance in the Literary Arts Series, a 93 cent

postage stamp, honors her life and works.
postage stamp, honors her life and works.

Notes References
Notes References

Further reading [GCSU], Postmarked Milledgeville: A
Further reading [GCSU], Postmarked Milledgeville: A

Guide to Flannery O’Connor’s Correspondence in Libraries and
Guide to Flannery O’Connor’s Correspondence in Libraries and

Archives, Georgia College & State University, 2002
Archives, Georgia College & State University, 2002

R. Neil Scott, Flannery O'Connor: An Annotated Reference Guide to Criticism,
R. Neil Scott, Flannery O'Connor: An Annotated Reference Guide to Criticism,

Timberlane Books, 2002 Ralph Wood, Flannery O'Connor and the
Timberlane Books, 2002 Ralph Wood, Flannery O'Connor and the

Christ Haunted South, 2004 Melissa Simpson, Flannery O'Connor: A
Christ Haunted South, 2004 Melissa Simpson, Flannery O'Connor: A

Biography, 2005 Louise Westling, Sacred Groves and
Biography, 2005 Louise Westling, Sacred Groves and

Ravaged Gardens, 2008 Harold Bloom, ed., Flannery O'Connor,
Ravaged Gardens, 2008 Harold Bloom, ed., Flannery O'Connor,

2009 Lorraine V. Murray, The Abbess of
2009 Lorraine V. Murray, The Abbess of

Andalusia: A spiritual biography of Flannery O'Connor, Saint Benedict Press,
Andalusia: A spiritual biography of Flannery O'Connor, Saint Benedict Press,

2009 Brad Gooch, Flannery: A Life of Flannery
2009 Brad Gooch, Flannery: A Life of Flannery

O'Connor, 2010 Jean W. Cash, Flannery O'Connor: A
O'Connor, 2010 Jean W. Cash, Flannery O'Connor: A

Life," 2004 External links
Life," 2004 External links

"Southern Discomfort", by Wendy Lesser, Bookforum.
"Southern Discomfort", by Wendy Lesser, Bookforum.

Flannery O'Connor Find A Grave Memorial The Flannery O'Connor Repository
Flannery O'Connor Find A Grave Memorial The Flannery O'Connor Repository

Flannery O'Connor Collection at the Georgia College & State University.
Flannery O'Connor Collection at the Georgia College & State University.

Postmarked Milledgeville—Flannery O'Connor's letters
Postmarked Milledgeville—Flannery O'Connor's letters

Works by or about Flannery O'Connor in libraries
Works by or about Flannery O'Connor in libraries

Flannery O'Connor entry in New Georgia Encyclopedia
Flannery O'Connor entry in New Georgia Encyclopedia

Flannery O'Connor's Private Life Revealed in Letters—All Things
Flannery O'Connor's Private Life Revealed in Letters—All Things

Considered audio file, 6 mins. May 12, 2007.
Considered audio file, 6 mins. May 12, 2007.

Five O'Connor essays by Joyce Carol Oates
Five O'Connor essays by Joyce Carol Oates

"Flannery: A Life of Flannery O'Connor". A review by the Oxonian Review, April
"Flannery: A Life of Flannery O'Connor". A review by the Oxonian Review, April

27, 2009, Issue 9.1. "Andalusia: Photographs of Flannery
27, 2009, Issue 9.1. "Andalusia: Photographs of Flannery

O'Connor's Farm". Southern Spaces, April 28, 2008.
O'Connor's Farm". Southern Spaces, April 28, 2008.

"Glimpsing Andalusia in the O'Connor-Hester Letters". Southern
"Glimpsing Andalusia in the O'Connor-Hester Letters". Southern

Spaces, October 23, 2008. Andalusia Farm
Spaces, October 23, 2008. Andalusia Farm

PBS National Book Award Classics
PBS National Book Award Classics