John M. Barry

John M. Barry is one of the most influential figures in modern American literature. He is known for his works in the genres ranging from non-fiction to science fiction. A Princeton educated lawyer turned author, Barry has penned some of the most acclaimed works in contemporary American literary culture.

Barry was born on October 14, 1947, in Madison, Wisconsin. He received his BA degree in 1969, followed by an MA, and a JD from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1973. After working as an attorney and comedy sketch writer, he decided to pursue a place in literature. His debut novel, “The Seabury Variation”, was published in 1979. It was one of the earliest works to deal with the effects of nuclear holocaust on US soil.

Barry is best known for his works concerning the environment and politics. “The Great Influenza” and “Rising Tide: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and How it Changed America” are two of his most popular and acclaimed works in this category. In “The Great Influenza”, Barry discusses the 1918 influenza pandemic, its impact and global response. This book is widely praised for its keen attention to detail and comprehensive research. In “Rising Tide”, Barry studies the catastrophic flood of 1927 and the set of issues it brought to the area, such as poverty and racial injustice. This novel earned him the Pulitzer Prize for Non-fiction in 1999 and continues to this day to be used as reference material in relevant classes.

Apart from works of non-fiction, Barry has written two science fiction novels. His novel “Access To The Universe” was turned into a feature film in 1984. He has also written two children’s books and several short stories for adult literary magazines.

A consistent contributor to public debate, Barry has written a number of articles for numerous publications such as the New York Times and Washington Post. He has also served on the boards of several philanthropic organizations such as the National Resources Defense Council, Chester County Historical Society, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Pennsylvania Central Railroad Historical Society, Nature Conservancy and the National Geographic Society.

John M. Barry’s books have achieved a place of honor in the pantheon of modern American literature. His works have inspired discourse on important environmental and political issues of the day. For his efforts, Barry has earned a series of accolades including the Pulitzer Prize, the Commonwealth Club of California Silver Medal, the Robert F. Kennedy Book Award, the Chautauqua Prize, among many others.