William Strunk Jr.

William Strunk Jr. is an American educator, author, and professor of English who is best known for his book Elements of Style. He began his teaching career at Cornell University where he taught literature and drama.

Strunk was born on July 1, 1869 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was the son of George and Emma Strunk. His father was a lumber business executive and his mother was a homemaker. He had one sibling, his brother Albert. Growing up, William Sr. nurtured his love of learning by teaching himself various topics such as Shakespeare and Latin.

Strunk attended Dartmouth College in New Hampshire and graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1888. After college, he attended the University of Leipzig in Germany to pursue a Ph.D. in German. Upon his return to the United States, Strunk taught English, literature, and drama at Cornell University.

During his tenure at Cornell, Strunk wrote Elements of Style, a handbook for writers that was originally intended for use by the students he taught. He published the book in 1918 with revisions by his former student, E.B. White. White's revisions increased the book's popularity, leading to its enduring impact on English writing.

Aside from Elements of Style, Strunk also wrote a booklet titled The Little Book of English Usage. This book covered topics such as spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure. Strunk was highly respected by his students, who appreciated his detailed feedback and quick humor.

In 1935, Strunk retired from Cornell University. After retirement, Strunk wrote a book on the history of American grammar and was invited to a panel on the topic of American grammar at the American Association for Advanced of Science. After his death in 1946, Strunk's book Elements of Style was revised once more and published in 1959 as The Elements of Style.

William Strunk Jr. is a legendary figure in the English language. In addition to writing Elements of Style, he was a highly respected English professor and expert in grammar and usage. Strunk’s two books on grammar are still used as resources today, offering writers insight and advice on how to craft effective prose.