Van Wyck Brooks was born in Plainfield, New Jersey, on February 16, 1886. His parents, Sally and Charles Brooks were well off, and as a result Van Wyck was able to get a good primary education. Van Wyck eventually ended up in Harvard University, from where he graduated in 1908.Van Wyck Brooks became well known through his work as a literary critic, although he generally is not considered an author of literary works himself. Brooks is also well known through his work as a historian of American literature during the 19th century, and he produced a series of studies, which were known and published as the “Makers and Finders” series. One of his books, The Flowering of New England, won the Pulitzer Prize for history in 1937.
