Kurt Vonnegut Jr. (November 11, 1922 – April 11, 2007) was an American writer and humorist renowned for his distinctive blend of satire and dark humor in his novels. Over a prolific career spanning more than five decades, Vonnegut penned fourteen novels, three short-story collections, five plays, and five nonfiction works, with additional collections published posthumously.

Born in Indianapolis, Vonnegut's academic journey led him from Cornell University to the Carnegie Institute of Technology and the University of Tennessee, albeit his studies were interrupted when he enlisted in the US Army during World War II. His wartime experiences, particularly surviving the Allied bombing of Dresden while imprisoned, profoundly influenced his work, most notably in Slaughterhouse-Five. After the war, he pursued further studies at the University of Chicago and embarked on his writing career, initially struggling for commercial success.

His breakthrough came with Slaughterhouse-Five in 1969, a novel that captured the zeitgeist of its era with its anti-war sentiment. This success catapulted Vonnegut to fame, leading to a career that would see him celebrated as a key voice in American literature. In addition to his novels, Vonnegut's legacy includes impactful speeches, lectures, and a wealth of autobiographical essays and short stories. His posthumously published works and the continued scholarly interest in his writing affirm his enduring influence and significance.