Gore Vidal

Gore Vidal was a prominent American author, known for his political commentary and appearances on television. Born in 1925, Vidal was critical of the United States, often referring to it as a decadent empire under the rule of a militaristic dictatorship. He was part of a distinguished political lineage, with his grandfather being Senator Thomas Gore and later becoming related to Jacqueline Kennedy through marriage. Vidal, a longtime political critic, ran for political office twice and was a lifelong isolationist Democrat.

Vidal's works include the play "The Best Man" (1960) and the novel "Myra Breckinridge" (1968), as well as essays, screenplays, and Broadway productions. He was known for his cynical humor, patrician manner, transatlantic accent, and witty aphorisms. His writing often focused on society in decline and he was a frequent contributor to publications such as The Nation, The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, The New York Review of Books, and Esquire. From the 1980s onwards, Vidal characterized the United States as a decaying empire in his essays and media appearances. He also had well-publicized spats with figures such as Norman Mailer, William F. Buckley, Jr., and Truman Capote, who fell into distinct social and historical camps.

Vidal's best-known historical novels include "Julian," "Burr," and "Lincoln." His third novel, "The City and the Pillar" (1948), caused controversy as it was one of the first major works of unambiguous homosexuality. He also wrote extensively about Hollywood and the world of cinema, with satirical and implacable tones in works such as "Myra Breckinridge" (1968), "Myron" (1975), and "Duluth" (1983).

Vidal was also a political activist and received the National Book Award for his writing. He was a Democratic candidate for Congress from upstate New York in 1960, where he received the most votes of any Democrat in a half-century. He passed away in 2012 at the age of 86, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most influential American writers of the post-World War II era.

Vidal was a master of many genres and styles, with an exuberant and multifaceted writing style that always surprised and delighted his readers. He wrote about a wide range of topics, from American history and politics to Hollywood and the world of cinema. He was also known for his caustic wit, referring to himself as a "gentleman bitch" and being described as the 20th century's answer to Oscar Wilde. He also used the pseudonym Edgar Box for some of his works.

Vidal's writing often served as a mirror to the grandezas and miseries of the United States, reflecting both its strengths and weaknesses. He was a critical observer of American society and politics, and his work often challenged the status quo and provoked thought and discussion. He was a member of a generation of American writers who served during World War II, including J.D. Salinger, Kurt Vonnegut, Norman Mailer, and Joseph Heller, and his passing marked the end of an era in American literature.