Winston Groom's Early Life and Education
Winston Groom was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, where he attended University Military School, now known as UMS-Wright Preparatory School. From a young age, Groom had an early ambition to become a lawyer, but his aspirations took a different turn when he chose to pursue a career as an author.
Groom's academic journey took him to the University of Alabama, where he was a member of the prestigious Delta Tau Delta Fraternity and the Army ROTC. He graduated in 1965, and his academic achievements were soon followed by a stint in the United States Army, where he served from 1965 to 1969, including a tour of duty in the Vietnam War.
Post-Military Career and Journalism
After his military service, Groom transitioned to a career in journalism, working as a reporter for the Washington Star, where he covered police and courtroom activities. Groom's journalistic endeavors culminated in his retirement as a journalist at the age of 32.
The Birth of Forrest Gump
Groom's literary pursuits began in earnest after his retirement from journalism. He moved back to his hometown of Mobile, Alabama, and began working on his novel, Forrest Gump, which was published in 1986. Although the book did not initially achieve best-seller status, its adaptation into a film in the 1990s catapulted it to worldwide success, selling 1.7 million copies globally.
Historical Writing and Personal Life
In recent years, Groom has dedicated his time to writing history books about American wars. He currently resides on Long Island, New York, with his wife, Anne-Clinton, and daughter, Carolina, in addition to his home in Point Clear, Alabama, on Mobile Bay.
