John McPhee Bio, Wiki, Age, Height, Parents, Wife, Pine Barrens, and Net Worth

John McPhee Biography

John McPhee is a famous American writer born in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. However, he is regarded as one of the pioneers of creative nonfiction. Also, he is a four-time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in the category of General Nonfiction, and he won that award on the fourth occasion in 1999 for Annals of the Former World.

McPhee’s writing has had a profound impact on the way nonfiction is approached and appreciated. He pioneered the genre of creative nonfiction, which combines elements of journalism and literature to tell compelling stories based on real events and people. His unique blend of factual accuracy, vivid description, and compelling narrative has set a high standard for nonfiction writing, inspiring countless writers to follow in his footsteps.

His writing has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction, and he has been honored for his contributions to journalism, literature, and the environment. His work has been widely read and admired by people from all walks of life, and his books have become classics that continue to captivate readers of all ages.

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10 Quick Facts About John McPhee

• Name: John McPhee
• Age: 92 Years (2023)
• Birthday: 8 March
• Zodiac Sign: Pisces
• Height: 5 feet 6 inches (1.67m)
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Writer
• Marital Status: Married
• Salary: To be Updated
• Net worth: $5 million

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John McPhee Age

McPhee is 92 years old as of 2023, he was born on 8 March 1931, in  Princeton, New Jersey, United States. He celebrates his birthday on 8 March every year and his birth sign is Pisces.

John McPhee Height

McPhee stands at a height of 5 feet 6 inches (1.67m) tall.

John McPhee Weight

McPhee weighs 55 kg (121 lbs).

John McPhee Early Life and Education

McPhee was born on 8 March 1931, in Princeton, the son of the Princeton University athletic department’s physician, Dr. Harry McPhee. He was also educated at Princeton High School, then spent a postgraduate year at Deerfield Academy, before graduating from Princeton University in 1953 with a senior thesis titled “Skimmer Burns”, and spending a year at Magdalene College, University of Cambridge. McPhee was a member of the University Cottage Club while he was a student at Princeton.

However, while at Princeton, McPhee went to New York once or twice a week to appear as the juvenile panelist on the radio and television quiz program Twenty Questions. One of his roommates at Princeton was 1951 Heisman Trophy winner Dick Kazmaier.

John McPhee Rise to Fame

McPhee’s rise to fame can be attributed to his exceptional writing talent, unique approach to creative nonfiction, and unwavering dedication to his craft.

From the very beginning of his writing career, McPhee demonstrated an extraordinary ability to craft beautifully written, insightful, and engaging prose. His meticulous attention to detail, evocative descriptions, and immersive storytelling captivated readers and critics alike, setting him apart as a masterful writer.

McPhee is widely recognized for pioneering the genre of creative nonfiction, which combines the techniques of journalism and literature to tell compelling stories based on real events and people. His innovative approach to blending factual accuracy with vivid storytelling created a new form of nonfiction writing that was both informative and captivating, garnering attention and acclaim.

John McPhee Parents

McPhee was born in  Princeton, New Jersey, United States as the son of Harry McPhee (father) the Princeton University athletic department’s physician, and Mary Ziegler (mother).

John McPhee Siblings

Any information about McPhee’s siblings is publicly not available. It is not known if he has siblings. We will update this section once the information is available.

John McPhee Wife

McPhee is currently married to his lovely wife Yolanda Whitman. Previously, he was married to his first wife Pryde Brown with whom they share four children; all daughters, the novelists’ Jenny McPhee and Martha McPhee, photographer Laura McPhee, and architecture historian Sarah McPhee.

John McPhee Children

McPhee is the proud and caring father of four daughters; the novelists Jenny McPhee and Martha McPhee, photographer Laura McPhee, and architecture historian Sarah McPhee.

John McPhee Net Worth

McPhee has an estimated net worth of $5 million dollars as of 2023. This includes his assets, money, and income. His primary source of income is his career as a Writer. Through his various sources of income, McPhee has been able to accumulate good fortune but prefers to lead a modest lifestyle.

Leyla Gulen Measurements and Facts

Here are some interesting facts and body measurements you should know about John McPhee;

John McPhee Wiki

• Full Names: John Angus McPhee
• Popular As: John McPhee
• Gender: Male
• Occupation / Profession: Writer
• Nationality: American
• Race / Ethnicity: White
• Religion: Christianity
• Sexual Orientation: Straight

John McPhee Birthday

• Age / How Old?: 92 Years (2023)
• Zodiac Sign: Pisces
• Date of Birth: 8 March 1931
• Place of Birth: Princeton, New Jersey, United States
• Birthday: 8 March

John McPhee Body Measurements

• Height / How Tall?: 5 feet 6 inches (1.67m)
• Weight: 55 kg (121 lbs)
• Eye Color: To be Updated
• Hair Color: To be Updated
• Shoe Size: To be Updated
• Chest Size: To be Updated
• Waist Size: To be Updated

John McPhee Family and Relationship

• Father (Dad): Harry McPhee
• Mother: Mary Ziegler
• Siblings (Brothers and Sisters): To be Updated
• Marital Status: Married
• Spouse/Wife: Married to Yolanda Whitman
• Dating/Girlfriend: Not Applicable
• Children: Martha McPhee, Laura McPhee, Jenny McPhee, Sarah McPhee

John McPhee Net Worth and Salary

• Net Worth: $5 million
• Salary: To be Updated
• Source of Income: Writer

John McPhee Career

McPhee is an American writer and journalist known for his nonfiction writing, particularly his works on nature, geology, and the environment. He was born on March 8, 1931, in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. McPhee has had a distinguished career as a writer, earning numerous accolades and awards for his contributions to the field of creative nonfiction.

McPhee worked as a reporter and editor for various newspapers and magazines, including Time and The New Yorker. He joined The New Yorker as a staff writer in 1965 and has been associated with the publication ever since. McPhee’s writing style is characterized by his meticulous research, deep curiosity, and rich storytelling, which often blends scientific and environmental themes with human stories and experiences.

Throughout his career, McPhee has authored over 30 books, many of which are considered classics of creative nonfiction. Some of his most well-known works include “Encounters with the Archdruid,” “The Control of Nature,” “Coming into the Country,” “The Pine Barrens,” and “Annals of the Former World.” “Annals of the Former World” won the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction in 1999 and is a four-volume geology-themed work that has been highly praised for its literary merit and scientific accuracy.

John McPhee Notable Travel, Events, and Experiences

McPhee has traveled extensively across the United States and other parts of the world to conduct geologic fieldwork for his writing. For example, he spent time in Alaska, California, and Nevada to research and write about the geology of those regions in his book “Annals of the Former World,” which won the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction.

McPhee has had the opportunity to meet and have in-depth conversations with several notable figures during his career. One of the most memorable encounters was with David Brower, an influential environmental activist and former executive director of the Sierra Club, which McPhee chronicled in his book “Encounters with the Archdruid.” He has also interviewed and written about other notable personalities, including geologists, conservationists, and government officials.

His writing often delves into environmental events and issues, such as the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, the efforts to control flooding along the Mississippi River, and the challenges of managing natural resources in wilderness areas. He has witnessed firsthand the impact of human activities on the environment and has written extensively about the complex relationships between humans and the natural world.

McPhee’s writing is often enriched by his own personal experiences and adventures. For example, in his book “Coming into the Country,” he describes his travels and experiences in remote parts of Alaska, including living in a cabin without electricity or running water.

John McPhee Delta

McPhee has written about the Mississippi Delta, which is a region in the southern United States known for its unique geography, culture, and history. In his book “The Control of Nature,” McPhee dedicates a section to the Mississippi Delta and the challenges of managing and controlling the river’s natural course.

In “The Control of Nature,” McPhee explores various efforts made by humans to control and manipulate the forces of nature, including attempts to control the Mississippi River and its delta. He delves into the complex relationship between the river and the land, and how human interventions have shaped the delta’s landscape over time.

John Mcphee Pine Barrens

McPhee’s book “The Pine Barrens” is a nonfiction work that explores the unique ecological and cultural characteristics of the Pine Barrens region in New Jersey, United States. Published in 1967, “The Pine Barrens” is one of McPhee’s early works and is considered a classic of American nature writing.

In “The Pine Barrens,” McPhee delves into the natural history, geology, and ecology of the Pine Barrens, which is a vast area of pine forests and sand dunes located in the southern part of New Jersey. He also delves into the history and culture of the people who have lived in and around the Pine Barrens, including the indigenous peoples, early settlers, and the unique “Pineys,” a term used to describe the local residents.

McPhee’s writing in “The Pine Barrens” is characterized by his vivid and evocative descriptions of the landscape, wildlife, and the people who inhabit the region. He explores the delicate balance between human activities and the natural environment, as well as the challenges and struggles faced by the people living in this remote and often misunderstood area.

John McPhee Basin and Range

“Basin and Range” is a nonfiction book written by John McPhee and published in 1981. It is part of McPhee’s larger work called “Annals of the Former World,” which consists of four books that explore the geology of North America.

In “Basin and Range,” McPhee focuses on the geology and natural history of the Basin and Range Province, a vast region that spans the western United States, including parts of Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and California. The Basin and Range Province are known for its distinctive landscape of mountain ranges separated by elongated valleys, and it is characterized by its complex geologic history and unique rock formations.

McPhee embarks on a journey through the Basin and Range Province, exploring the geology, geography, and ecology of the region. He delves into the science of geology, interviews geologists, and learns about the various theories and ideas that have been proposed to explain the formation of the Basin and Range landscape.

John McPhee Control of Nature

“Control of Nature” is a nonfiction book written by John McPhee and published in 1989. It is a collection of three long-form essays that explore humanity’s relationship with the natural world and our efforts to control and shape it. The essays in “Control of Nature” focus on three specific locations: the Mississippi River, Iceland, and Southern California.

In the first essay, “Atchafalaya,” McPhee delves into the efforts to control the Mississippi River and prevent it from changing its course, including the construction of levees, floodwalls, and other infrastructure. He explores the ecological, social, and economic implications of these efforts and the challenges that arise when humans attempt to control the immense power of a river.

In the second essay, “Cooling the Lava,” McPhee travels to Iceland to study the efforts to harness the destructive forces of volcanic eruptions and channel them for human benefit. He delves into the history, science, and cultural aspects of living with volcanic activity and the challenges of controlling and mitigating the impacts of volcanic eruptions.

John McPhee Books

• A Sense of where you are: a profile of William Warren Bradley
• The headmaster: Frank L. Boyden, of Deerfield
• Oranges
• The Pine Barrens
• A roomful of Hovings and other profiles

• Levels of the game
• The crofter and the laird
• Encounters with the Archdruid
• Wimbledon
• The deltoid pumpkin seed

• Basin and range
• La Place de la Concorde Suisse
• Outcroppings
• Uncommon carriers
• Draft No. 4: On the Writing Process
• The Patch

John McPhee Awards Accomplishments and Achievements

• McPhee has been awarded the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction, one of the most prestigious literary awards in the United States, for his book “Annals of the Former World” in 1999. This four-volume work, which includes “Basin and Range,” “In Suspect Terrain,” “Rising from the Plains,” and “Assembling California,” explores the geology of North America in McPhee’s signature style, combining scientific research, personal narratives, and vivid descriptions of the natural world.

• McPhee has been a finalist for the National Book Award, one of the most prestigious literary awards in the United States, multiple times throughout his career, including for “Oranges” (1968) and “Coming into the Country” (1977).

• McPhee has been awarded the John Burroughs Medal for distinguished nature writing, which is one of the oldest and most prestigious literary awards in the United States for nature writing. He received this award in 1978 for his book “Encounters with the Archdruid,” which examines the relationship between humans and nature through the lens of three different individuals with contrasting perspectives on environmental issues.

John McPhee Legacy

Here are some key aspects of his legacy:

McPhee is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of nature writing, a genre that combines science, journalism, and personal narratives to explore and communicate the wonders of the natural world. His unique approach to nature writing, which blends meticulous research, vivid descriptions, and engaging storytelling, has set a high standard for the genre and has inspired countless writers to follow in his footsteps.

McPhee’s writings have made significant contributions to environmental journalism, shedding light on the complexities of human interactions with the natural world and the environmental challenges we face.

John McPhee Quotes

John McPhee Hobbies and Interests:

Nature and the Outdoors: McPhee has a deep appreciation for the natural world and often writes about the beauty and intricacies of landscapes, rivers, and wilderness areas. He has a keen eye for detail and a passion for exploring the outdoors, which is reflected in his vivid descriptions and observations in his writing.

Travel and Exploration: McPhee has traveled extensively across different regions of the United States and beyond, conducting research for his writing projects. His curiosity and love for exploration are evident in his works, where he often delves into the history, culture, and geography of various places.

Geology and Earth Sciences: McPhee has a strong interest in geology and earth sciences, and he has written extensively on the subject. He has a knack for explaining complex geological concepts in a way that is accessible and engaging to general readers, showcasing his deep knowledge and passion for the topic.

Frequently Asked Questions About John McPhee

John McPhee Contacts

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• Youtube
• Tiktok
• Website

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