author
William Styron
1925–2006
Known for intense, morally searching fiction, he wrote novels that turned private suffering and public history into unforgettable stories. His best-known books include The Confessions of Nat Turner and Sophie's Choice, and his memoir Darkness Visible gave many readers a clear, personal account of depression.
1 Audiobook
The long march
by William Styron
About the author
Born in Newport News, Virginia, in 1925, William Styron became one of the major American novelists of the 20th century. He studied at Duke University, served in the U.S. Marine Corps, and published his first novel, Lie Down in Darkness, in 1951.
Styron's work often explored guilt, memory, violence, and the weight of history. He won the Pulitzer Prize for The Confessions of Nat Turner and reached an even wider audience with Sophie's Choice, later adapted into an acclaimed film. Across novels, essays, and memoir, he built a reputation for serious, emotionally powerful writing.
Later in life, Styron wrote Darkness Visible, a brief but influential memoir about his experience with depression. He died in 2006, but his books remain widely read for their psychological depth, moral seriousness, and willingness to face difficult subjects directly.