Andrew Solomon

Andrew Solomon 2015

Andrew Solomon (born October 30, 1963) is an American writer on politics, culture, and psychology who lives in New York City and London. He is known for his books on depression, family, and identity.

Early Life and Education

Andrew Solomon was born in New York City to a Jewish family. He attended the Horace Mann School and later graduated from Yale University with a degree in English. Solomon also holds a master's degree in English from Jesus College, Cambridge.

Career

Solomon's writing has appeared in numerous publications, including The New York Times, The New Yorker, and Artforum. He is a regular contributor to NPR and has been a guest on various television programs.

Books

Solomon's first book, The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression, was published in 2001. The book explores the personal, cultural, and scientific aspects of depression. It won the National Book Award for Nonfiction and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.

His second major work, Far from the Tree: Parents, Children, and the Search for Identity, was published in 2012. This book examines how families accommodate children with physical, mental, and social disabilities. It won the National Book Critics Circle Award and was named one of the New York Times Book Review's Ten Best Books of 2012.

Advocacy

Solomon is an advocate for mental health awareness and LGBTQ+ rights. He has served on the boards of several organizations, including the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the Aperture Foundation.

Personal Life

Andrew Solomon is openly gay and married to John Habich Solomon. The couple has a son, George, born through a surrogate mother. Solomon has written extensively about his experiences as a gay father.

Awards and Honors

• National Book Award for Nonfiction (2001)
• National Book Critics Circle Award (2012)
• Pulitzer Prize Finalist (2002)

Selected Bibliography

• The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression (2001)
• Far from the Tree: Parents, Children, and the Search for Identity (2012)
• The Irony Tower: Soviet Artists in a Time of Glasnost (1991)
• A Stone Boat (1994)

See Also

• Mental health
• LGBTQ+ rights
• Depression (mood)
• Parenting