August Wilson
Biography
August Wilson was a highly acclaimed American playwright known for his powerful works exploring the African-American experience in the 20th century. Born in 1945 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Wilson grew up in a working-class neighborhood and faced many of the same challenges and injustices that he would later capture in his plays. Wilson's most famous body of work is The Century Cycle, a series of ten plays that each depict a different decade of the African-American experience throughout the 20th century. His works, including Fences, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, and The Piano Lesson, have earned him numerous accolades, including two Pulitzer Prizes for Drama. A master of capturing the rhythm and poetry of everyday life, Wilson was known for his rich character development and poignant explorations of race, class, and family dynamics. His work continues to be performed on stages around the world and has left an indelible mark on American theater. Wilson passed away in 2005, but his legacy lives on through his timeless and powerful works.
Standalone Novels
Individual novels by August Wilson not part of a series
- Fences
- Joe Turner's Come and Gone: A Play in Two Acts
- Ma Rainey's Black Bottom: A Play in Two Acts
- The Piano Lesson
- Two Trains Running
Classic Series
The series that started it all
- Fences
- Joe Turner's Come and Gone
- The Piano Lesson
Recent Series
Latest works by the author
- The Seven Guitars
- Radio Golf
Reading Order
Complete reading order for August Wilson's books
Frequently Asked Questions
What is August Wilson's most famous series of plays called?
The Century Cycle.
How many plays are included in August Wilson's The Century Cycle series?
There are a total of ten plays in The Century Cycle.
What themes are commonly explored in August Wilson's works?
August Wilson's works often explore themes of race, class, identity, history, and the African American experience.
What play in The Century Cycle series won August Wilson a Pulitzer Prize?
Fences won August Wilson a Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
Are August Wilson's plays typically set in a specific time period?
Yes, most of August Wilson's plays are set in a specific decade of the 20th century and focus on the African American experience during that time.