John Updike was an American novelist, poet, and short story writer. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1932 and was a prolific writer who published many novels, short stories, poems, and other works. Some of his most famous works include Rabbit Run, Couples, and the Rabbit series. Updike received numerous honors including two Pulitzer Prizes and two National Medals of Arts. He was praised for his careful craftsmanship and ability to capture the nuances of middle-class American life. Updike died in 2009 after a long and celebrated career spanning over 50 years.