William Faulkner Resources: Where to Learn More

The amount of Faulkner resources—essays, newsletters, websites, even movies—ain't trifling! In fact, Faulkner is the most studied author in the world, the subject of more books and articles than any other writer besides Shakespeare. So if reading three novels by Faulkner isn't enough for you, here's some extra credit.

Center for Faulkner Studies

Located on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University, the Center for Faulkner Studies supports educational, scholarly and public service projects related to William Faulkner, including a Visiting Japanese Scholar program and the Teaching Faulkner newsletter. The Center's renowned Brodsky Collection includes thousands of manuscript pages, letters and photographs.

'The Square' by John McCrady

The Annual Faulkner Conference

For both the curious reader and the most dedicated scholar, the "Faulkner & Yoknapatawpha" Conference features panel discussions; dramatic readings from Faulkner's work; special sessions on "Reading Faulkner"; an open-mic evening entitled "Faulkner on the Fringe"; and social events, including a picnic at Faulkner's home, Rowan Oak. Get the details!

Photo of Rowan Oak by Bruce Newman

Rowan Oak

In 1930, after writing As I Lay Dying but before it was published, William Faulkner purchased an antebellum house in a sad state of disrepair and named it Rowan Oak. More about the house and grounds—who lived there, how it got its name and when you can visit.

'One Matchless Time: A Life of William Faulkner' by Jay Parini

One Matchless Time: A Life of William Faulkner

By Jay Parini
Parini, who has taught Faulkner's work for 30 years, vividly brings to life Faulkner's complex fictional world in the context of his life. This magnificent biography is profound, thought-provoking, meticulously researched, elegantly composed and a tribute to the genius of its subject.

Ole Miss

Faulkner may have dropped out after three semesters, but he is still one of the University of Mississippi's most distinguished former students. The English Department offers a Faulkner biography.
www.olemiss.edu/depts/english/ms-writers/dir/faulkner_william

University of Virginia

In 1957, Faulkner came to the University of Virginia as its first writer-in-residence. The university library holds a vast collection of Faulkner's manuscripts, first editions, personal papers and more.
www.lib.virginia.edu/small/collections/faulkner

William Faulkner Society

The William Faulkner Society is dedicated to fostering the study of Faulkner and to promoting research, scholarship and criticism dealing with his writings and their place in literature. The Society sponsors panels, holds annual meetings and is affiliated with The Faulkner Journal. Membership is open to anyone interested in the writer and his work.
http://www.english.ufl.edu/faulkner/

The Nobel Prize

Awarded the 1949 Nobel Prize for Literature, Faulkner didn't want to go to Stockholm for the award ceremony. Pressured by the U.S. State Department, the Swedish Ambassador to the United States and his own family, he finally gave in. Listen to his famous acceptance speech.
http://nobelprize.org/literature/laureates/1949/faulkner-speech.html

Photo Credits: "The Square" (1968) by John McCrady, permission granted by Mr. and Mrs. William Lewis of Oxford, Mississippi; Rowan Oak © 2005 Bruce Newman. William Faulkner mural by Grant Lund, The Center for Faulkner Studies.