Sinclair Lewis: 1885-1951

Sinclair Lewis was born in Sauk Centre, a prairie village in the heart of Minnesota on February 7, 1885. His mother died of tuberculosis when Lewis was six years old.

Lewis's early life was made miserable by teasing. With his red hair and very bad skin he was strange-looking boy. At the age of 13 he ran away from home to become a drummer boy in the Spanish-American War, but his father caught up with him at the railroad station, and brought the boy home.

Lewis started to write and keep a diary in his youth; he produced romantic poetry, and stories about knights and fair ladies. Before 1921 he had already published six novels.

After Lewis received his M.A. in 1908, he worked for publishing houses and various magazines.

After publishing two novels, Lewis devoted himself entirely to writing. He gained fame with "Main Street." The book became a best-seller.

In the late 1920s Lewis traveled to London, Berlin, Vienna, and Moscow. He loved beautiful surroundings. He had a handsome old house in Williamstown, Massachusetts, and he stayed at the best hotels in America and Europe.

Lewis spent his final years in Europe, suffering from failing health after a life of heavy drinking. He died from the effects of advanced alcoholism on January 10, 1951, in Rome.