Sinclair Lewis: Author, Journalist, Nobel Prize Winner

Sinclair Lewis was an American novelist, playwright, who also wrote short stories. In 1930, Lewis became the first writer from the United States to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature. He was best known for his satirical writing, who often portrayed middle-class Americans in his novels.

Harry Sinclair Lewis was born on February 7th, 1885, in Sauk Centre, Minnesota. He was the son of physician Edwin J. Lewis, and Emma Kermott Lewis. Sinclair had two older brothers. Fred was born in 1875, and Claude was born in 1878.

Emma died of tuberculosis in 1891, when Sinclair was just six years old. Sinclair’s father, Edwin, hated the fact that his third son was unathletic, and preferred books to sports. Sinclair had started off reading at a very early age, and also kept a diary. Edwin’s library had hundred of books, as well as his medical books. Edwin was an extremely strict disciplinarian. About a year after Emma Kermott Lewis’ death, Edwin remarried. His second wife’s name was Isabel Warner. Sinclair got along well with his stepmother.

The house where Sinclair Lewis grew up, resides at 812 Sinclair Lewis Avenue. It is now a museum. The house is a beautiful, well-kept property, that is white with green trim.

Throughout his childhood, Sinclair had a difficult time making friends. He was a tall redhead, thin, with acne, his eyes were a bit pop-eyed. He had formed crushes on a few local girls, but they never went anywhere. Kids teased him relentlessly…