William Faulkner was an influential American writer and Nobel laureate in literature in 1949. Faulkner was born in New Albany, Mississippi, and later moved to Oxford, Mississippi where he spent most of his life. His works often dealt with themes like the human condition, the history of the South, and the complexities of race and class. He was known for his experimental narrative style, including the use of stream of consciousness. Faulkner passed away on July 6, 1962, but left behind a lasting legacy with his contribution to American literature.