John Updike (1932-2009) Writer John Updike's works are known for their subtle depiction of American middle-class life. His popular Rabbit series earned him two Pulitzer prizes. John Hoyer Updike was an American writer, poet, literary critic and novelist. He was born on 18th March 1932 in Reading, Pennsylvania. Updike was the only child of Wesley Russell Updike, a mathematics teacher and an aspiring writer Linda Grace Hoyer. His mother’s writing passion became a major influence on young John. He often used to recall his mother’s writing desk, the typewriter and clean sheets of paper. One day he hoped to have it all. Updike went to Shillington High School and graduated as a valedictorian and class president in 1950. He then enrolled into Harvard where he gained the reputation of a prolific writer being a regular contributor and president of the ‘Harvard Lampoon’. He graduated in 1954 ‘summa cum laude’ with a degree in English. Updike’s initial desire was to become a cart