Classic Authors: J.D. Salinger
© Susan Jensen
Jerome David Salinger was born on January 1, 1919, in New York City. He became the second child, and only son of Sol and Marie (later changed to Miriam) Jillich Salinger. His father imported hams, and little has been written of his mother. J.D. spent his childhood in New York schools and camps. Although he received high scores on I.Q. tests, he made only average grades in school.
From 1934-36, J.D. attended Valley Forge Military Academy, where he made satisfactory grades. Unlike the recluse he became in later years, the young J.D. participated in various school activities, such as Glee Club, French Club, Aviation Club and others. He also served as literary editor of the school's yearbook, Crossed Sabres. While enrolled at the school, J.D. wrote short stories by flashlight, after "lights out." He graduated from the school in 1936.
After his graduation from Valley Forge Military Academy, J.D. reportedly went to Europe, where he lived for a short time in Vienna and Poland. He also attended a summer session at New York University. In 1938, he enrolled at Ursinus College, where he wrote a column for the school's paper. He quit classes there and enrolled in Whit Burnett's short story writing class at Columbia University. Burnett gave J.D. his start, publishing "The Young Folks" in his magazine, Story, in 1940. The next year, J.D. Salinger sold his first story about Holden Caulfield to the New Yorker.
In 1942, J.D. was drafted by the United States Army. He attended Officers, First Sergeants and Instructors School of the Signal Corps that year, and wanted to continue on to Officers' Candidate School. However, he was transferred to Air Service Command in Dayton, Ohio, where he wrote publicity releases. In 1943, he trained with the Counter-Intelligence Corps. Although he was busy with his duties, J.D. continued to publish short stories in leading magazines. In 1943, he published his first piece in the Saturday Evening Post, where he found a steady market for his work. The next year, Holden Caulfield was first mentioned in print. By this time, J.D. was on active duty. He had joined the U.S. Army's Fourth Division, staying with them through 5 European campaigns. J.D. Salinger was discharged in 1945.
