Today in History: Thornton Wilder

Thornton Wilder
Today in History–April 17–the Library of Congress features writer Thornton Wilder, born on this day in 1897. This lauded American writer produced award-winning (3 Pulitzer Prizes and 1 National Book Award) plays, novels, essays, and more. Find out more about this literary master by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access primary sources about Wilder and the theater.

Playwright Thornton Wilder Was Born from America’s Library

Thornton Wilder image set

Thornton Wilder historical newspaper coverage

Exhibition items: Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer-prize winning play Our Town

Exhibition items: Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer-prize winning novel San Luis Rey

Holograph letter from Thornton Wilder to Marian MacDowell, April 30, 1928 (curator commentary)

Theater & Television primary source collections & teaching resources