Kurt Vonnegut

Kurt Vonnegut Jr. (1922–2007) was an American novelist and satirist known for blending dark humor, science fiction, and social critique. Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, he studied at Cornell University and later served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Captured during the Battle of the Bulge, he survived the bombing of Dresden as a prisoner of war—an experience that shaped his best-known novel, *Slaughterhouse-Five* (1969). His other major works include *Cat’s Cradle* (1963), *Breakfast of Champions* (1973), and *Player Piano* (1952). Vonnegut’s distinctive voice made him a lasting figure in American literature.