Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Philip Roth, the Pulitzer Prize-winning stalwart of American novels, died Tuesday at the age of 85.

Roth, the author of award-winning books including Portnoy's Complaint and American Pastoral had deep ties to Iowa City and the University of Iowa.  

He began his literary career in college. After briefly attending Rutgers University, Roth studied at Bucknell University, where he launched the magazine Et Cetera. Some of his early short stories were featured in the publication. After graduating in 1954, Roth served in the U.S. Army. He continued to write as a soldier. After his service, he attended University of Chicago, where he earned a master's degree in English literature.

Roth served as a visiting professor at the Writers' Workshop from 1960 to 1962. 

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