Daniel Quinn: Difference between revisions

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Daniel Quinn

Daniel Quinn was an American writer best known for his novel Ishmael, which won the Turner Tomorrow Fellowship Award in 1991. His work primarily focuses on themes of environmentalism, sustainability, and the critique of modern civilization.

Early Life and Education

Daniel Quinn was born on October 11, 1935, in Omaha, Nebraska. He attended Creighton Preparatory School and later went on to study at Saint Louis University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in English. Quinn also pursued graduate studies at the University of Vienna in Austria.

Career

Quinn began his career in publishing, working as an editor for various publishing houses. However, he is most renowned for his work as a novelist and philosopher. His breakthrough came with the publication of Ishmael, which explores the relationship between humans and the environment through a dialogue between a man and a telepathic gorilla named Ishmael.

Major Works

Ishmael (1992)
The Story of B (1996)
My Ishmael (1997)
Beyond Civilization (1999)

Themes and Philosophy

Quinn's writing often challenges the cultural narratives of modernity and progress. He argues that the dominant agricultural and industrial paradigms are unsustainable and advocates for a return to more tribal and sustainable ways of living. His work is heavily influenced by anthropology and ecology.

Legacy

Daniel Quinn's ideas have inspired a movement of readers and thinkers who are interested in alternative ways of living and environmental activism. His work continues to be a subject of discussion in environmental studies and philosophy.

Related Pages

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+== Daniel Quinn ==
-'''Daniel Quinn''' (October 11, 1935 – February 17, 2018) was an American author best known for his novel ''[[Ishmael (novel)|Ishmael]]'', which won the [[Turner Tomorrow Fellowship Award]] in 1991. Quinn's work is heavily focused on the environment, the impact of civilization on the planet, and the destiny of humanity, themes that are prevalent throughout his books.
+[[File:DanielQuinnImg.jpg|thumb|right|Daniel Quinn]]
-Born in Omaha, Nebraska, Quinn spent his early life in a variety of locations due to his father's work. He attended [[Loyola University Chicago|Loyola University]] in Chicago, where he graduated with a degree in English, later pursuing postgraduate studies at the [[University of Vienna]]. Before becoming a full-time writer, Quinn worked in educational and consumer publishing, including a stint as the editor of the American Dairy Association's magazine.
+'''Daniel Quinn''' was an American writer best known for his novel ''[[Ishmael (novel)|Ishmael]]'', which won the Turner Tomorrow Fellowship Award in 1991. His work primarily focuses on themes of [[environmentalism]], [[sustainability]], and the critique of modern [[civilization]].
-''Ishmael'', Quinn's most famous work, is a philosophical novel that explores the mythological underpinnings of Western civilization and challenges the reader to consider humanity's role in the world. The book is presented as a dialogue between a nameless narrator and a telepathic gorilla, Ishmael, who serves as the narrator's mentor. The novel's critical and commercial success led to two sequels, ''[[The Story of B]]'' and ''[[My Ishmael]]'', which further delve into the themes of cultural mythology and sustainability.
+== Early Life and Education ==
+Daniel Quinn was born on October 11, 1935, in [[Omaha, Nebraska]]. He attended [[Creighton Preparatory School]] and later went on to study at [[Saint Louis University]], where he earned a bachelor's degree in English. Quinn also pursued graduate studies at the [[University of Vienna]] in [[Austria]].
-Quinn's other notable works include ''[[Beyond Civilization]]'', in which he argues for a new understanding of how human societies can organize themselves beyond the hierarchical structures that define modern civilization. His writings advocate for a more sustainable and equitable relationship between humans and the natural world, drawing on a diverse range of disciplines including anthropology, history, and ecology.
+== Career ==
+Quinn began his career in publishing, working as an editor for various publishing houses. However, he is most renowned for his work as a novelist and philosopher. His breakthrough came with the publication of ''Ishmael'', which explores the relationship between humans and the environment through a dialogue between a man and a telepathic gorilla named Ishmael.
-Throughout his career, Quinn was a sought-after speaker on environmental and philosophical topics, contributing to various conferences and forums dedicated to sustainability and human ecology. His ideas have influenced the environmental movement and have been integrated into educational curricula focused on ecological and social sustainability.
+=== Major Works ===
+* ''[[Ishmael (novel)|Ishmael]]'' (1992)
+* ''The Story of B'' (1996)
+* ''My Ishmael'' (1997)
+* ''Beyond Civilization'' (1999)
-Quinn's contributions to literature and environmental thought have been recognized with several awards, including the Turner Tomorrow Fellowship Award, which he received for ''Ishmael''. Despite his passing in 2018, his work continues to inspire and provoke thought among readers and activists concerned with the future of humanity and the planet.
+== Themes and Philosophy ==
+Quinn's writing often challenges the cultural narratives of [[modernity]] and [[progress]]. He argues that the dominant [[agricultural]] and [[industrial]] paradigms are unsustainable and advocates for a return to more [[tribal]] and [[sustainable]] ways of living. His work is heavily influenced by [[anthropology]] and [[ecology]].
+== Legacy ==
+Daniel Quinn's ideas have inspired a movement of readers and thinkers who are interested in [[alternative]] ways of living and [[environmental]] activism. His work continues to be a subject of discussion in [[environmental studies]] and [[philosophy]].
+== Related Pages ==
+* [[Ishmael (novel)]]
+* [[Environmentalism]]
+* [[Sustainability]]
+* [[Anthropology]]
 [[Category:American novelists]]
 [[Category:Environmental writers]]
-{{author-stub}}
+[[Category:1935 births]]
+[[Category:2018 deaths]]