Thomas Wolfe was an American novelist and playwright born October 3, 1900, in Asheville, North Carolina. He grew up in a large, middle-class family, and his father, William Oliver Wolfe, ran a successful tombstone business. Wolfe’s early years were marked by a love for literature and a desire to become a writer. After graduating from high school, Wolfe attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he became deeply involved in writing and theater. He gained recognition for his dramatic talents and praise for his poetic prose style.

In 1920, Wolfe received a scholarship to attend Harvard University, where he studied playwriting and earned a Master of Arts degree. During his time at Harvard, he became friends with fellow writer and critic Maxwell Perkins, who would later become his editor and a significant influence on his literary career. In his writing, Wolfe often explores complex human emotions, depicts the impact of time on individual perception, and employs powerful symbols to deepen literary themes.

Wolfe drew inspiration from his life and surroundings, often incorporating elements of his hometown of Asheville into his work. Wolfe’s writing, including “The Far and the Near,” continues to be celebrated for its poetic and evocative portrayal of American life and the human condition.