Childhood and Education Journey of Cormac McCarthy in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: February 23, 2025

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Cormac McCarthy. A timeline of key moments.

Cormac McCarthy was a celebrated American author known for his novels spanning Western, post-apocalyptic, and Southern Gothic genres. Characterized by graphic violence and a distinctive writing style featuring sparse punctuation and attribution, his works have secured his reputation as one of the greatest American novelists. He authored twelve novels, alongside plays, screenplays, and short stories.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

1930: Jim Long Born

In 1930, Jim Long, McCarthy's childhood friend and later inspiration for J-Bone in Suttree, was born.

July 20, 1933: Cormac McCarthy Born

On July 20, 1933, Charles Joseph McCarthy Jr., later known as Cormac McCarthy, was born in Providence, Rhode Island.

Others born on this day/year

July 20, 1933: Birth of Charles Joseph McCarthy Jr.

On July 20, 1933, Charles Joseph McCarthy Jr. was born in Providence, Rhode Island.

Others born on this day/year

1937: Family Relocation to Knoxville

In 1937, McCarthy's family relocated to Knoxville, Tennessee, where his father worked as a lawyer.

1941: Family Settled in South Knoxville

By 1941, the McCarthy family had settled in a house on Martin Mill Pike in South Knoxville.

1951: Attends University of Tennessee

In 1951, McCarthy began attending the University of Tennessee, studying liberal arts.

1953: Joins U.S. Air Force

In 1953, McCarthy left college to join the U.S. Air Force.

1957: Returns to University of Tennessee

In 1957, McCarthy returned to the University of Tennessee, majoring in English and publishing stories in the student literary magazine.

1958: McCarthy starts using a mechanical typewriter

After 1958, McCarthy began using a mechanical typewriter for all his literary work and correspondence.

1959: Wins Ingram-Merrill Award and Drops Out

In 1959, McCarthy won the Ingram-Merrill Award for creative writing and dropped out of college, leaving for Chicago.

1961: Marriage to Lee Holleman

In 1961, McCarthy married fellow student Lee Holleman and moved to a shack in the Smoky Mountains.

1962: Birth of Son, Cullen

In 1962, McCarthy and Lee Holleman had a son named Cullen.

1965: Travels to Ireland

In the summer of 1965, McCarthy traveled to Ireland using a Traveling Fellowship award from The American Academy of Arts and Letters.

1969: Move to Louisville, Tennessee

In 1969, McCarthy and his wife Anne DeLisle moved to Louisville, Tennessee, and purchased a dairy barn.

1976: McCarthy quits drinking

According to Richard B. Woodward, McCarthy quit drinking in 1976 in El Paso, with one of his young girlfriends.

1976: Separation from Anne DeLisle and Move to El Paso

In 1976, McCarthy separated from Anne DeLisle and moved to El Paso, Texas.

2006: McCarthy's divorce from Jennifer Winkley

In 2006, McCarthy and Jennifer Winkley divorced.

December 2009: Olivetti Lettera 32 typewriter auctioned

In December 2009, McCarthy's Olivetti Lettera 32 typewriter was auctioned at Christie's for $254,500, with proceeds donated to the Santa Fe Institute. He replaced it with an identical model.