Who Is Raymond Carver? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Born on May 25, 1938, Raymond Carver was an influential American short story writer and poet who passed away in 1988. Although he left this world at a young age of 50, Carver’s works have persisted, influencing countless writers and readers. His concise style and clear imagery enabled him to explore the complexities of everyday life. His notable publications include "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love" and "Cathedral". In analysis for 2025, we reflect on his impact and how his legacy continues to evolve.
| Occupation | Writers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 25, 1938 |
| Age | 50 Years |
| Birth Place | Clatskanie, Oregon, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Gemini |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 2 August, 1988 |
| Died Place | Port Angeles, Washington, U.S. |
Popularity
Raymond Carver's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Raymond Carver's physical presence was not widely documented, but according to various references, he stood at approximately 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall. His weight fluctuated through the years, especially during his battle with alcoholism and health issues. Ultimately, Carver’s legacy rests far more on his words than any physical attributes.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Carver was married twice in his life. His first wife, Joan Carver, was a pivotal figure in his early writing career. They had two children together but faced challenges that led to their divorce. Later, he married poet Tess Gallagher in 1988, who became a significant source of support and inspiration for him. As of 2025, discussions of Carver's relationships often focus on the profound impact that both of his marriages had on his literary voice.
After graduating from Yakima High School in 1956, Carver worked with his father at a sawmill in California. In June 1957, at age 19, he married 16-year-old Maryann Burk, who had just graduated from a private Episcopal school for girls.
Carver worked as a delivery man, janitor, library assistant, and sawmill laborer, while Maryann worked as an administrative assistant, high school English teacher, salesperson, and waitress.
Net Worth and Salary
Raymond Carver's net worth was approximately $1 million at the time of his passing. His earnings largely came from his writing and teaching positions. Posthumously, his works have generated sales and royalties, ensuring a continued financial legacy for his family. In 2025, it is acknowledged that Carver's literature remains a lucrative domain for publishers, preserving his worth in the literary market.
Career, Business, and Investments
Carver's career is marked by his contributions to modernist literature, focusing on themes of struggle, loneliness, and the human condition. He began by publishing poetry and later shifted to short stories, carving out a niche that has inspired a generation of writers. Besides writing, Carver was a professor of creative writing, imparting his knowledge to aspiring authors. In the years following his death, Carver's works have been reissued and celebrated worldwide, ensuring his influence endures.
In the mid-1960s, Carver and his family resided in Sacramento, where he briefly worked at a bookstore before taking a position as a night custodian at Mercy Hospital. He did all of the janitorial work in the first hour and then wrote through the rest of his shift.
He audited classes at what was then Sacramento State College, including workshops with poet Dennis Schmitz. Carver and Schmitz soon became friends, and Carver wrote and published his first book of poems, Near Klamath, under Schmitz's guidance.
Social Network
As a figure from the past, Raymond Carver does not have a social network presence in the traditional sense. However, his works are frequently discussed on platforms like Goodreads, and fans regularly share quotes and analyses of his writings on social media. His relationship with Tess Gallagher continues to be a central theme in discussions about love and loss, creating a bond among readers and literary enthusiasts who connect over his themes and storytelling.
Raymond Clevie Carver Jr. (May 25, 1938 – August 2, 1988) was an American short story writer and poet. He published his first collection of stories, Will You Please Be Quiet, Please?, in 1976.
His breakout collection, What We Talk About When We Talk About Love (1981), received immediate acclaim and established Carver as an important figure in the literary world. It was followed by Cathedral (1983), which Carver considered his watershed and is widely regarded as his masterpiece.
The definitive collection of his stories, Where I'm Calling From, was published shortly before his death in 1988. In their 1989 nomination of Carver for the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, the jury concluded, "The revival in recent years of the short story is attributable in great measure to Carver's mastery of the form."
Education
Raymond Carver attended several institutions, including the Chico State University in California, where he pursued his interest in writing. His educational background played a critical role in shaping his literary voice. Notably, he later took classes at Stanford University, where he honed his craft further. Education remained a core value for Carver, as he believed in the importance of teaching and guiding new writers through their paths.
Following a 1968 sojourn to Israel, the Carvers relocated to San Jose, California; as Maryann finished her undergraduate degree, he continued his graduate studies in library science at San Jose State through the end of 1969 before failing once again to take a degree.
During this period, he established vital literary connections with Gordon Lish, who worked across the street from Carver as director of linguistic research at Behavioral Research Laboratories, and the poet/publisher George Hitchcock.
