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Richard Yates

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Author

The Resume

    (February 3, 1926-November 7, 1992)
    Born in Yonkers, New York
    Wrote the novels ‘Revolutionary Road’ (1961), ‘A Special Providence’ (1969), ‘Disturbing the Peace’ (1975), ‘The Easter Parade’ (1976), ‘Young Hearts Crying’ (1984) and ‘Cold Spring Harbor’ (1986)
    Short story collections include ‘Eleven Kinds of Loneliness’ (1962) and ‘Liars in Love’ (1981)
    Inspiration for the character of Alton Benes, Elaine Benes’ father, in the Seinfeld episode ‘The Jacket’
    Episode based on an awkward encounter between Yates and ‘Seinfeld’ co-creator Larry David when David was dating Yates’ daughter, Monica

Why he might be annoying:

    He was married twice and divorced twice.
    He was bipolar.
    During a Bread Loaf Writers Conference in Vermont, he ran about naked, claiming he was the Messiah (1962).
    Despite critical praise, his novels never sold well, with ‘Esquire’ calling him ‘one of America’s least famous great writers.’
    He remained a heavy smoker even after he needed an oxygen mask to breathe.
    According to grad students that he watched the show with, he sat through ‘The Jacket’ stone faced, then announced ‘I’d like to kill that son of a bitch.’

Why he might not be annoying:

    He served with the Army in Europe during World War II.
    He was a speechwriter for Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy.
    His short story collection ‘Eleven Kinds of Loneliness’ was described as ‘the New York equivalent of [James Joyce’s] ‘Dubliners.’’
    He was praised as one of the greatest writers of his generation by Kurt Vonnegut, William Styron and Tennessee Williams.
    According to his daughter Monica, he actually liked ‘The Jacket,’ but decided to play to the audience of grad students by acting as curmudgeonly as Alton Benes.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 3 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 7 Votes: 71.43% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 5 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 15 Votes: 60.0% Annoying