> Which author wrote the 1951 novel The Catcher in the Rye?And the answer: J.D. Salinger.Born in 1919, American author J.D. Salinger is best known for his novel TheCatcher in the Rye. The book features a 16 year old main character named HoldenCaulfield, who quickly became an icon of teenage rebellion. Salinger went on topublish other stories, but Catcher in the Rye remains his most popular.Photo credit: public domain.While Salinger's name is taught in most middleschools in the United States today, his life was somewhat reclusive. Salingershied away from the public eye after the widespread success of Catcher in theRye, and managed to lead a relatively private life. However, recent efforts tocoalesce a collection of Salinger's finished and unfinished works have proved toshed more light on the great author's life. Salinger's upward-facing career path was greatly interrupted by World War II. Hewas drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served in some of the bloodiest battlesof the war. During this time, though, Salinger began to draft the unhappy maincharacter of Holden Caulfield. By the time Salinger arrived back home after thewar, he was ready to begin work on what would become Catcher in the Rye. Catcher in the Rye set a new course in 20th Century American literature. Comingout of World War II, the book found success with youths who resonated withHolden, the deeply unsatisfied protagonist. Its dealings with complex issues ofinnocence, identity, belonging, loss, and connection took Salinger into theheights of literary fame. About one million copies of Catcher in the Rye aresold each year, with total sales of more than 65 million books. Read more about the life of Salinger and the body of work he left behind here[https://www.biography.com/writer/jd-salinger].