Biography
Truman Capote was an American writer known for his distinctive prose style, psychological insight and ability to move between fiction, journalism and social observation. He was born Truman Streckfus Persons on September 30, 1924, in New Orleans, Louisiana. His parents separated when he was young, and much of his childhood was spent with relatives in Alabama. After his mother remarried Joseph Capote, Truman adopted his stepfather's surname and later moved to New York.
Capote began writing at an early age and, rather than attending university, chose to pursue literature professionally. He worked for The New Yorker and gained recognition through short stories published in literary magazines. His first novel, "Other Voices, Other Rooms", appeared in 1948 and established him as an important young American writer.
During the 1950s he published fiction, travel writing and journalism. His 1958 novella "Breakfast at Tiffany's", centred on the memorable character Holly Golightly, became one of his best-known works and was later adapted into a highly successful film.
In 1959 Capote read about the murder of the Clutter family in Holcomb, Kansas. Fascinated by the case, he travelled to Kansas with his childhood friend Harper Lee and spent years interviewing residents, investigators and the two convicted murderers. The resulting book, "In Cold Blood", published in 1966, combined extensive factual research with techniques associated with the novel and became one of the most influential works of literary nonfiction of the twentieth century.
Capote was also a prominent figure in New York literary and social circles and maintained friendships with many artists, writers and members of high society. In the 1970s he published chapters from his unfinished novel "Answered Prayers", whose thinly disguised portrayals of wealthy acquaintances damaged several of those relationships. During his later years his literary output declined as he struggled with alcohol and drug dependence. He died in Los Angeles on August 25, 1984.
