As one of the most celebrated novelists and essayists of the new millennium, David Foster Wallace quickly rose to prominence as the voice of his generation. The publication of Infinite Jest in 1996 cemented his status.

If David Foster Wallace had written nothing besides Infinite Jest, his legacy would be secure as one of the most important artists of the new Millennium. But he did so much more than that: he left behind a diverse body of creative nonfiction that was held together by his sincere approach to any subject. He positively influenced thousands of students in his writing workshops and literary seminars over the years. More than anything, he gave a shape and a voice to the confused, conflicted Internet generation.

This short biography traces the life and career of one America’s most complex and gifted writers.