How Cormac McCarthy Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline

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

How the contributions of Cormac McCarthy continue to shape the world today.

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

1922: Ulysses published

James Joyce's "Ulysses" was published in 1922. McCarthy later regarded this novel as "great".

1929: The Sound and the Fury published

William Faulkner's "The Sound and the Fury" was published in 1929. McCarthy later regarded this novel as "great".

1994: Bloom's "The Western Canon" published

In Harold Bloom's 1994 book, "The Western Canon", he listed McCarthy's "Child of God", "Suttree", and "Blood Meridian" among works of contemporary literature he predicted would endure.

2003: Bloom names McCarthy a major American novelist

In 2003, literary critic Harold Bloom named McCarthy as one of the four major living American novelists.

2005: Blood Meridian on Time's List

In 2005, Time included Blood Meridian on their list of the 100 best English-language books published since 1923.

2006: Blood Meridian Ranked Among Greatest Novels

In 2006, a poll ranked Blood Meridian third among the greatest American novels of the previous quarter-century.

April 2007: The Road Selected for Oprah's Book Club

In April 2007, Oprah Winfrey selected McCarthy's The Road as her Book Club selection.

June 5, 2007: Television Interview with Oprah Winfrey

On June 5, 2007, McCarthy's first television interview, with Oprah Winfrey, aired on The Oprah Winfrey Show.

2007: No Country for Old Men Wins Academy Awards

In 2007, the film adaptation of No Country for Old Men won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

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.