Truman Capote (September 30, 1924 -- August 25, 1984), was an American novelist who created literary classics such as Breakfast at Tiffany's and In Cold Blood. In writing the latter "non-fiction novel," Capote investigates a real life murder of a family by two sociopaths. Many of Capote's works have also been adapted to other media, such as films and television drama.
Capote died on August 25th, 1984 reportedly due to liver disease from phlebitis and multiple drug intoxication.
Early life
Born in New Orleans, Truman Capote was the son of Archulus Persons and Lillie Mae Faulk. At the age of four, Capote's parents divorced from an unhappy marriage. Young Capote stayed for some years with his relatives in Monroeville, Alabama. Interestingly enough, Capote made friends there with Harper Lee, whose character Dill in To Kill a Mockingbird was actually a depiction of Truman.
Capote moved to New York to join his mother after she became married again. He finished school at the age of 17, and found work at the New Yorker.
In Cold Blood
Truman Capote first formed the basis for his novel In Cold Blood from a 300 word article in The New York Times:
Holcomb, Kan., Nov. 15 [1959] (UPI) -- A wealthy wheat farmer, his wife and their two young children were found shot to death today in their home. They had been killed by shotgun blasts at close range after being bound and gagged ... There were no signs of a struggle, and nothing had been stolen. The telephone lines had been cut.
He thus traveled to Holcomb, Kansas with Harper Lee to interview locals to recreate the situation. Without a tape recorder or a notepad, Capote took six years to research and write about the Clutter murder case. In Cold Blood, published in 1966, details the Clutter family and the activities of two sociopaths as they proceed in killing the 4 members of this family.
The Clutters
The Clutters were one of the more wealthy and well respected family living in Holcomb, Kansas. The father, Herb Clutter, was a Kansas State graduate who had established the successful River Valley Farm from small beginnings. Holding a degree in agriculture, Herb Clutter had also served as an advisor on President Dwight D. Eisenhower's agricultural board. Mr. Clutter was also well known for his fair treatment of employees and good wages.
More than money, The Clutters were considered "wealthy" because of their fortunate family situation. Herb Clutter was happily married to Bonnie Clutter, who gave birth to four children.
At the time, two of the young Clutters were still in high school:
Kenyon Clutter, 15 years old
Nancy Clutter, 16 years old
Eveanna Clutter
Beverly Clutter
The family looked up to Mr. Clutter as a role model to follow in life. Perhaps the only trouble the Clutter family encountered was Bonnie's health--she was diagnosed with clinical depression. Many believed that her condition was caused by a physical ailment in her spine, rather than a psychological one.
Richard (Dick) Eugene Hickock
Richard Eugene Hickock (June 6, 1931 – April 14, 1965) was the primary mastermind of the Clutter family murder. Although Hickock was brought up in a stable family, a number of events with his wife led to divorce and unemployment. During this time, Hickock attempted to forge checks, which landed him in Lansing Prison. In jail, Hickock met Perry Smith, who quickly became friends. After having heard about the wealthy Clutter family from another inmate, Hickock planned the invasion of the River Valley Farm family.
Perry Edward Smith
Perry Edward Smith (October 27, 1928 -- April 14, 1965) had a much more rough upbringing. His parents, Tex "John" Smith and Flo Buckskin, initially were rodeo performers. They eventually moved to Juneau, Alaska, where the father distilled whiskey for a living. Growing up, Smith was abused his dad. He thus moved in with his mother, who was alcoholic. She died before Smith reached adulthood, leaving him to several orphanages. Smith eventually joined the Merchant Marines and the Army, where he served in the Korean War.
Truman Capote
Table of Contents
Capote died on August 25th, 1984 reportedly due to liver disease from phlebitis and multiple drug intoxication.
Early life
Born in New Orleans, Truman Capote was the son of Archulus Persons and Lillie Mae Faulk. At the age of four, Capote's parents divorced from an unhappy marriage. Young Capote stayed for some years with his relatives in Monroeville, Alabama. Interestingly enough, Capote made friends there with Harper Lee, whose character Dill in To Kill a Mockingbird was actually a depiction of Truman.
Capote moved to New York to join his mother after she became married again. He finished school at the age of 17, and found work at the New Yorker.
Truman Capote first formed the basis for his novel In Cold Blood from a 300 word article in The New York Times:
Holcomb, Kan., Nov. 15 [1959] (UPI) -- A wealthy wheat farmer, his wife and their two young children were found shot to death today in their home. They had been killed by shotgun blasts at close range after being bound and gagged ... There were no signs of a struggle, and nothing had been stolen. The telephone lines had been cut.
He thus traveled to Holcomb, Kansas with Harper Lee to interview locals to recreate the situation. Without a tape recorder or a notepad, Capote took six years to research and write about the Clutter murder case. In Cold Blood, published in 1966, details the Clutter family and the activities of two sociopaths as they proceed in killing the 4 members of this family.
The Clutters
The Clutters were one of the more wealthy and well respected family living in Holcomb, Kansas. The father, Herb Clutter, was a Kansas State graduate who had established the successful River Valley Farm from small beginnings. Holding a degree in agriculture, Herb Clutter had also served as an advisor on President Dwight D. Eisenhower's agricultural board. Mr. Clutter was also well known for his fair treatment of employees and good wages.
More than money, The Clutters were considered "wealthy" because of their fortunate family situation. Herb Clutter was happily married to Bonnie Clutter, who gave birth to four children.
At the time, two of the young Clutters were still in high school:
The family looked up to Mr. Clutter as a role model to follow in life. Perhaps the only trouble the Clutter family encountered was Bonnie's health--she was diagnosed with clinical depression. Many believed that her condition was caused by a physical ailment in her spine, rather than a psychological one.
Richard (Dick) Eugene Hickock
Perry Edward Smith