Born in San Francisco Leslie and Geraldine Jackson, Shirley Jackson grew up in the affluent middle-class suburb of Burlingame (which would later be featured in her first novel The Road Through the Hall.) In 1939 the family moved to Rochester, NY where Shirley attended the University of Rochester before being "asked to leave". She went on to graduate with a BA from Syracuse University in 1940.

While still a student, Shirley became active in the campus literary magazine. It was there that she met her husband Stanley Edgar Hyman, who became a noted literary critic. The couple was married in 1940. The couple had four children; the adventures of raising her brood were later collected in the books Life Among the Savages and Raising Demons.

Published on June 28, 1948 in The New Yorker magazine, 'The Lottery' introduced readers to Ms. Jackson's particular brand of Gothic horror.

The story, set in rural small-town USA, delves into the seemingly unchanged ways and mindset of the townsfolk. Unable, or unwilling, to change that which has been set down for generations, the tradition carried out by the town shocked readers.

Hundreds of letters from readers slammed the mail room at The New Yorker. Sharp criticism and outrage at such a "violent" story being published filled the letters penned by readers. Phone calls poured and hundreds canceled subscriptions in disgust.

Shirley Jackson's reputation was set, made by one short story. The huge response to 'The Lottery' by readers has been matched since its publication. The story has since been banned by the Union of South Africa and is frequently on the list of banned books in American schools and libraries.

Shirley suffered throughout her life from various neuroses and psychosomatic illnesses. She also was overweight and a heavy smoker. Her health declined and in 1965, Shirley died of heart failure in her sleep.

She was only 48.

For years, Shirley had claimed her birthday was in 1919, to appear younger than her husband. Biographer Judy Oppenheimer, who wrote Private Demons: The Life of Shirley Jackson discovered that in fact Shirley was born in 1916.

Jackson's work continues to inspire readers and be adapted to the silver screen years after her untimely death.

Novels
The Road Through the Wall (1948)
The Hangsman (1950)
The Bird's Nest (1954)
The Sundial (1958)
The Haunting of Hill House (1959)
We Have Always Lived in the Castle (1962)


Non-Fiction/Memoirs
Life Among the Savages (1953)
Raising Demons (1957)


Children's Books
The Witchcraft of Salem Village (non-fiction, 1956)
The Bad Children: A Musical in One Act for Bad Children (1959)
9 Magic Wishes (1963)
Famous Sally (1966)


Collected Volumes
The Lottery and Other Stories (1949)
The Magic of Shirley Jackson (1966)
Come Along With Me (1968)
Just An Ordinary Day (1995)