Garry Wills (b.1934) is an American historian, journalist, and political philosopher known for his provocative analyses of American history, politics, and religion. He has authored over fifty books, earning a Pulitzer for General Nonfiction (1993.)
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Wills studied philosophy at Saint Louis University (B.A., 1957) and Xavier University (M.A., 1958) before earning a PhD in classics from Yale University (1961.) He began as a drama critic for National Review but later shifted to historical and political writing.
A frequent contributor to The New York Review of Books since 1973, Wills also taught history at Northwestern University. His work challenges traditional narratives, offering critical perspectives on democracy, Catholicism, and political leadership. His notable books include Nixon Agonistes: The Crisis of the Self-Made Man (1970,) Inventing America: Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence (1978,) Lincoln at Gettysburg: The Words That Remade America (1992,) Papal Sin: Structures of Deceit (2000,) Why I Am a Catholic (2002,) Head and Heart: American Christianities (2007,) and What the Gospels Meant (2008.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Garry Wills
Writing came easy—it would only get hard when I got better at it.
—Garry Wills
Topics: Writing
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