FAQs
In 1997, Jackson led the formation of the International Nuclear Regulators Association. In 1998, Jackson was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame; the following year, she became the eighteenth president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
What genre of literature is Shirley Jackson known for? ›
Jackson's fiction is categorized in the mystery/horror genre, and despite her life being cut short, she produced some of the most acclaimed works and inspired a literary award in her name.
What did Shirley Jackson do for work? ›
Shirley Hardie Jackson (December 14, 1916 – August 8, 1965) was an American writer known primarily for her works of horror and mystery. Her writing career spanned over two decades, during which she composed six novels, two memoirs, and more than 200 short stories.
What is Shirley Jackson's famous quote? ›
I delight in what I fear. I have always loved to use fear, to take it and comprehend it and make it work and consolidate a situation where I was afraid and take it whole and work from there.
What makes Shirley Jackson so special? ›
Above all Jackson is a storyteller; her stories aim to entertain. Yet the entertainment value of her fiction masks a pessimistic view of human nature; social criticism, overt or implicit, is central to every one of her works.
How did Shirley Ann Jackson change the world? ›
As the first Black American woman to serve on the NRC and the first woman and Black American to lead the NRC, Jackson reaffirmed that agency's commitment to public health and safety. She enhanced its regulatory effectiveness and initiated a bottom-up strategic assessment of all NRC activities.
Who was influenced by Shirley Jackson? ›
Jackson is said to have influenced such writers as Neil Gaiman, Nigel Kneale, Peter Straub, Richard Matheson, and Stephen King (“Shirley Jackson Biography”).
What are some of the defining characteristics of Shirley Jackson's literary works? ›
Jackson's works were complex, combining horror and humor with themes of ostracism and repression. Her novels often take place inside large estates on the outskirts of towns, within dysfunctional families, and, in many ways, inside the minds of unstable, unhappy women.
What was Shirley Jackson's personality like? ›
Instead, Shirley was imaginative, emotionally volatile, and stubborn. Throughout her life, her mom criticized her personality and appearance. Shirley spent her free time writing or drawing. She hid most of her writing from her parents, although at times she shared something publicly.
What was Shirley Jackson's style of writing? ›
Jackson wrote in a deft, unadorned prose style that contrasts with the veracity of her nihilistic vision; similarly, the charming hamlets which serve as her settings ironically underscore the true malevolence of their inhabitants.
Jackson served as chairman and principal executive officer of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) from 1995 to 1999. This position gave Dr. Jackson ultimate authority for decision making in NRC functions.
How did people react to The Lottery? ›
Some readers were extremely angry, expressing their dismay regarding the disturbing twist at the end of “The Lottery.” Those who responded in this way also had a tendency to cancel their subscriptions to The New Yorker altogether as a protest against the story's publication.
What is Jackson's famous quote? ›
Michael Jackson Quotes. In a world filled with hate, we must still dare to hope. In a world filled with anger, we must still dare to comfort. In a world filled with despair, we must still dare to dream.
Which of Shirley Jackson's works is the most popular today? ›
The Haunting of Hill House (1959)
The most famous of Jackson's work is a classic haunted house story that hits all the right notes of eeriness and the supernatural, from a striking opening paragraph through to an escalating, heart-stopping climax.
What were famous quotes? ›
Famous quotes in English
Quote | Who | Language |
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Speak softly and carry a big stick | Theodore Roosevelt | English |
That's one small step for a man, a giant leap for mankind. | Neil Armstrong | English |
The love of money is the root of all evil. | the Bible | Greek |
The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. | Franklin D. Roosevelt | English |
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What did Shirley Ann Jackson do in her early life? ›
Early Life
Jackson was born on August 5, 1946, in Washington, D.C. She was a curious child, and her parents encouraged her. They helped her build projects and design experiments. For a few summers starting at the age of 10, Jackson conducted experiments on bees and wasps.