J.D. Salinger, the reclusive author who penned the teenage rebellion classic "The Catcher in the Rye," died Wednesday of natural causes in his home.
He was 91.
The author’s son, Matt Salinger, said in a statement from the author’s literary representative that his father passed away at his house in Cornish, New Hampshire.
First published in 1951, “The Catcher in the Rye” became one of the most influential American novels of the modern era. It turned into a staple in high school English curriculums and its protagonist Holden Caulfield -- enraged by all the “phonies” in the world -- became a literary poster boy for teenage dissent.
It has also sold an estimated 60 million copies, and its main themes remain salient even today.
Jerome David Salinger was born Jan. 1, 1919 in Manhattan. He was the son of a Jewish businessman and Scots-Irish mother.
His critically acclaimed short story “A Perfect Day for Bananafish” was published in the New Yorker magazine, where he ended up publishing many of his shorter works.
But he’s best known for “Catcher,” which brought him more public attention -- and scrutiny -- than he was prepared for.
Soon after “Catcher” was published, Salinger became disillusioned with the publishing industry, and in 1953 he bought his Cornish house and entered a seclusion in which he would remain for the rest of his life.
While Salinger wrote for grownups, teenagers have widely identified with Caulfield’s struggles. The novel was seen as capturing the mood of youth during a time of Cold War angst and a burgeoning generation gap. Another key theme was the struggle between the innocence of young and the corruption of adults.
Novelist Jonathan Safran Foer said that “Catcher” created a new generation of readers, and distilled their feelings in print.
"Many readers were created by `The Catcher in The Rye,' and many writers, too," he said.
"He and his characters embodied a kind of American resistance that has been sorely missed these last few years, and will now be missed even more."
Since its publication, “Catcher” influenced many similarly-themed novels and films on youth rebellion. Comedian Jerry Lewis tried for years to secure the rights to the novel and to get the chance to play the part of Holden. But Salinger refused.
Other cultural touchstones which have borrowed heavily from “Catcher” include movies like "Rebel Without a Cause" and "The Breakfast Club."
The most notorious event associated with “Catcher” may be Mark David Chapman's shooting of John Lennon.
Chapman was found on the night of the shooting with a copy of “Catcher,” in which he had written "This is my statement," before signing Caulfield’s name. Later, he read a passage from the book during his sentencing in court.
Salinger married Claire Douglas in 1955. They had two children, Margaret and Matthew.
"`Catcher in the Rye' made a very powerful and surprising impression on me," award-winning writer Michael Chabon said.
"Part of it was the fact that our seventh grade teacher was actually letting us read such a book. But mostly it was because `Catcher' had such a recognizable authenticity in the voice that even in 1977 or so, when I read it, felt surprising and rare in literature."
With files from The Associated Press
