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Truman Capote Facts

Truman Capote Facts
Truman Capote was an American writer best known for his true crime novel In Cold Blood and his novella Breakfast at Tiffany's. He was born Truman Streckfus Persons on September 30th, 1924 in New Orleans, Louisiana to Lillie Mae Faulk and Archulus Persons, a salesman. When he was four his parents divorced and he went to live with relatives in Monroeville, Alabama where he became friends with future author Harper Lee. Truman began writing fiction when he was 11 and was often seen carrying a notebook and dictionary with him. His mother remarried and the family moved around from Monroeville, to New York City, to Greenwich, Connecticut, and then back to New York City. Truman graduated from the Dwight School in 1943 and began working at The New Yorker. He returned to Alabama within 2 years and began writing his first novel.
Interesting Truman Capote Facts:
Truman Capote's friend Harper Lee went on to write the book To Kill a Mockingbird, which won her a Pulitzer Prize in 1961.
Truman's name was changed to Truman Garcia Capote in 1935 when his mother married Joseph Capote, and he adopted Truman as his own son.
Truman's mother was emotionally abusive to him once they moved to New York City following her second marriage. She alternated between being kind or cruel to him, depending on her mood.
While in school some of Truman's teachers encouraged him to pursue writing, believing that he had talent.
Truman did not see the point in attending a post-secondary institution, believing that he was either a good writer or he wasn't. He didn't believe that school could teach him to be good.
While working at The New Yorker Truman tried to get his work published but had no success. He quit and returned to Alabama to write his first novel Summer Crossing. The book was set aside and was not published until 2005.
Truman Capote's first successful works were short stories. In 1945 his story Miriam was published in Mademoiselle and a fiction editor at Harper's Bazaar noticed his work and his writing career had begun. He won the O. Henry Award for Miriam.
His first published novel was Other Voices, Other Rooms (1948). The book sold well despite Capote being a new author.
Truman Capote's second published novel The Grass Harp was published in 1951 and a Broadway producer asked Truman to adapt it for stage. It opened in 1952 and ran for 36 performances.
Truman Capote wrote several screenplays including Beat the Devil and The Innocents.
Truman developed friendships with several well-known people including Jacki Kennedy and Gloria Guinness.
Breakfast at Tiffany's was published in 1958 and later became one of Hollywood's most beloved films.
Truman Capote began working on In Cold Blood with Harper Lee, which began as a story for The New Yorker, and evolved into a book. It was an instant bestseller when it was released in 1965. The book was a true crime book and Truman and Harper attended the trial. Truman and Harper interviewed the suspected killers during research for the book.
It is believed that the dark nature of In Cold Blood took its toll on Truman Capote, who began drinking too much and taking drugs.
Truman Capote died on August 25th, 1984 at the age of 59. He had liver cancer. He died in Bel Air, Los Angeles. His ashes were scattered at crooked Pond in Southampton, New York.


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