‘American Pastoral’ Author Philip Roth Dies At 85

The Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, Philip Roth, who was made famous for his books such as American Pastoral, The Human Stain and Goodbye, Columbus, died on Tuesday, he was 85.

Close friend and fellow writer Judith Thurman confirmed that the author had died while at a New York City hospital due to congestive heart failure. “He was an incredibly generous person. Always very exigent, and he held you to a very high standard — and he held himself to an even higher standard,” Thurman told to CNN. “He was, in my opinion, a very great writer and a very great man.”

Roth’s literary agent, Andrew Wylie, also confirmed his death.

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Not only did Roth achieve the Pulitzer Prize for American Pastoral, but also achieved several other top literary awards. He has received two National Book Awards, three PEN/Faulkner prizes and two National Book Critics Circle honors.

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The New Jersey native was born on March 19, 1933 in Newark. He then grew up to attend Bucknell University, where he became the editor of the school’s literary magazine. He then grew a love for short story writing when he went to graduate school for English Literature at the University of Chicago.

Roth does not have any children and has not been married since separating from Claire Bloom in 1995.

Following the news of his death, many celebrities shared their love for his work and the legacy he has left behind.