Monday, May 1, 2023
John Updike Commemoration In Ipswich
On Friday, the Ipswich Historical Commission, the Ipswich Poetry Group, and others commemorated the life, literary legacy, and residence in Ipswich of the renowned author John Updike - one of the greatest American writers of the 20th Century. I spoke on the floor of the Senate on Thursday and those remarks were given to Updike's children at the event.
To celebrate and honor his contributions, the Ipswich Historical Commission unveiled a plaque that was placed on the Caldwell Building in the Town of Ipswich MA. This building, recorded on the National Registry of Historic Places, was where Updike took office and where he wrote some of his most acclaimed works.
Updike published over 60 books during his lifetime. His work included novels, short stories, poetry, and essays. He was a two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and was also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters. The Updikes raised four children together in Ipswich- Elizabeth, David, Michael, and Miranda. Updike was a member of the Ipswich Historical Commission and even helped write a book on Ipswich for the commission, Something to Preserve: A Report on Historic Preservation in America’s best-preserved Puritan town, Ipswich, Massachusetts.
Although he died of lung cancer at the age of 76 he is today remembered as one of the greatest American writers of the 20th Century. Massachusetts residents have a lot to be proud of in recognizing the literary contributions of John Updike. His work has enriched the lives of readers all over the world, and he is remembered as a giant of American literature.
