Who Is Edward Abbey
Edward Abbey Biography
Edward Abbey (1927-1989) was an American author, essayist, and environmental activist. He is best known for his Biography "Desert Solitaire," a nonfiction account of his experiences as a park ranger in the American Southwest. He also wrote the novel "The Monkey Wrench Gang," which is considered a classic of environmental literature and a seminal work in the environmental movement. Abbey was a strong advocate for wilderness preservation and a vocal critic of industrialization and development in the American West. He died in 1989 at the age of 62.
Edward Abbey Fast Facts
* Edward Abbey was born on January 29, 1927 in Home, Pennsylvania.
* He served in the US Army during World War II, and later attended the University of New Mexico.
* He worked as a park ranger in the Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park in Utah during the late 1950s.
* Desert Solitaire, his first Biography, is an autobiographical work about his experiences as a park ranger in the American Southwest. It was published in 1968.
* The Monkey Wrench Gang is a novel about a group of environmental activists who use sabotage to protest against * environmentally destructive development in the American Southwest. It was published in 1975.
* Abbey was a strong advocate for wilderness preservation and a vocal critic of industrialization and development in the American West.
* He died on March 14, 1989 in Oracle, Arizona.
* He was an anarchist and an individualist, and his work often reflected these views.
* His work has been widely influential in the environmental movement and continues to be read and studied today.
Life Highlights
1927-1945: Early Life and Influences
Edward Abbey was born in Indiana, Pennsylvania, on January 29, 1927, to parents Mildred Postlewait and Paul Revere Abbey. Mildred's passion for classical music and literature, along with Paul's radical views as a socialist, anarchist, and atheist, deeply shaped Abbey's upbringing and worldview. His childhood was characterized by this blend of artistic appreciation and rebellious ideology.
1945-1956: Exploring the Southwest and Military Service
After graduating from high school in Indiana, Pennsylvania, in 1945, Abbey faced the prospect of being drafted into the U.S. military. To avoid this fate, he embarked on a journey to explore the American Southwest. This trip exposed him to the captivating desert landscapes of the Four Corners region, leaving a profound impact on his imagination. Abbey's connection to this wilderness kindled his lifelong love for the region.
However, his plans were temporarily disrupted when he was drafted into the military. Despite applying for a clerical position, he ended up serving as a military police officer in Italy. Abbey's rebellious nature and resistance to authority led to multiple promotions and demotions, ultimately resulting in an honorable discharge as a private. This experience solidified his skepticism towards institutional power and reinforced his anarchist beliefs.
1951-1956: Education, Relationships, and Academic Pursuits
After his military service, Abbey took advantage of the G.I. Bill to attend the University of New Mexico. There, he earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy and English in 1951, followed by a master's degree in philosophy in 1956. Throughout his college years, Abbey worked various odd jobs to support himself, including stints as a newspaper reporter and bartender in Taos, New Mexico.
During this period, Abbey's personal life also saw significant changes. He married Jean Schmechal, his college sweetheart, and then embarked on an affair with Rita Deanin, who would later become his second wife. Their relationship resulted in two children. Abbey's academic pursuits delved into topics like anarchism and violence, and he explored the moral implications of these themes in his master's thesis.
1957-1959: Academic Endeavors and Writing Fellowship
Abbey's academic journey continued as he received a Wallace Stegner Creative Writing Fellowship at Stanford University in 1957. This opportunity allowed him to further develop his writing skills and engage in intellectual exploration. During this period, Abbey's perspectives on anarchism, anti-authoritarianism, and the environment continued to evolve, shaping the foundation for his future literary works. During the late 1950s, Edward Abbey worked as a seasonal ranger for the United States National Park Service at Arches National Monument, which is now a national park located near Moab, Utah. From April to September each year, Abbey held this position where he maintained trails, assisted visitors, and managed campground fees. His accommodations included a provided house trailer and a ramada he constructed himself. His time at Arches allowed him to gather a substantial amount of notes and sketches, forming the foundation for his inaugural non-fiction work, "Desert Solitaire." In 1959, Abbey welcomed his second son, Aaron, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
1960s:
In the 1960s, Abbey continued his work as a seasonal park ranger, this time at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, situated on the border between Arizona and Mexico. This decade saw significant developments in Abbey's literary and cinematic endeavors. His second novel, "The Brave Cowboy," was adapted into a movie titled "Lonely Are the Brave," produced and starring Kirk Douglas. During this period, Abbey's personal life underwent changes as well. He married Judy Pepper in 1965, and they both served as park rangers in the Florida Everglades and Lassen Volcanic National Park. Tragically, Judy died of leukemia in 1970, leading Abbey into a prolonged period of depression.
1970s:
Abbey's life in the 1970s was marked by personal struggles following Judy's death. During this time, he dedicated his book "Black Sun" to Judy, though the novel wasn't autobiographical in nature but rather centered on an affair he had in 1963. In 1973, Abbey married his fourth wife, Renee Downing, but the marriage was short-lived due to Abbey's frequent absences. Despite his personal turmoil, Abbey's creative output continued with "Desert Solitaire," a seminal work published in 1968. This non-fiction masterpiece details his experiences as a ranger in the Utah canyonlands and resonates as a quintessential nature narrative in American literature.
1980s:
In 1978, Edward Abbey encountered Clarke Cartwright, his fifth and final wife, and they formalized their union in 1982. Their marriage led to the birth of two children, Rebecca Claire Abbey and Benjamin C. Abbey. Additionally, in 1995, Abbey's granddaughter, Sophia Abbey-Kuipers, was born. During this period, Abbey's life saw a mix of personal and professional pursuits. He returned to the University of Arizona in 1984 to teach creative writing and hospitality management, all the while continuing to work on his book "Fool's Progress."
Activism and Controversies:
Abbey's involvement in environmental activism persisted during the 1980s. In July 1987, he attended the Earth First! Rendezvous at the Grand Canyon's North Rim, where a fervent debate on immigration unfolded between Abbey and a group called Alien Nation. This encounter inspired an entire chapter in his book "Hayduke Lives," documenting the events. Abbey's environmental convictions led to clashes with critics, as in the case of an accusation by Murray Bookchin that Abbey and others were racist and eco-terrorists. Abbey staunchly denied these allegations, asserting that his concerns were centered on defending nature from the actions of government and industry.
Passing and Legacy:
Tragically, Edward Abbey passed away on March 14, 1989, at the age of 62, in his Tucson, Arizona home. His demise resulted from complications arising from surgery, specifically four days of esophageal hemorrhaging due to esophageal varices. Abbey's sense of humor remained intact even in his final moments, as he left a humorous message inquiring about his last words: "No comment." He also left explicit instructions regarding his final arrangements, opting for a simple and natural process. Abbey wished for his body to be transported in a pickup truck, laid to rest without embalming or a coffin, but instead within an old sleeping bag. He expressed his desire to contribute to the growth of the natural world, stating, "I want my body to help fertilize the growth of a cactus or cliff rose or sagebrush or tree." In terms of his funeral, Abbey requested a straightforward event with gunfire, bagpipe music, and a lively celebration involving singing, dancing, talking, laughing, and love-making.
Edward Abbey Top Quotes
"Love implies anger. The man who is angered by nothing cares about nothing." (Meaning)
"For myself I hold no preferences among flowers, so long as they are wild, free, spontaneous. Bricks to all greenhouses! Black thumb and cutworm to the potted plant!"
"A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government."
"Anarchism is founded on the observation that since few men are wise enough to rule themselves, even fewer are wise enough to rule others."
"Power is always dangerous. Power attracts the worst and corrupts the best."
* The editor of this short biography made every effort to maintain information accuracy, including any quotes, facts, or key life events. If you're looking to expand your personal development, I recommend exploring other people's life stories and gaining inspiration from my collection of inspiring quotes. Exposing yourself to different perspectives can broaden your worldview and help you with your personal growth.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
