taker and started moving from state to state. Finally, in 1958, Nellie and the boys returned to Maine and began grammar school at Durham Elementary School (King Biography 1-2). In 1959, Stephen and his older brother, David, started a local newspaper called "Dave"s Rag". The newspaper sold for 5 cents per issue. He then went on to high school at Lisbon High School where he earned a scholarship to the University of Maine (King Biography 1-2). Throughout his college career, Stephen had jobs as a janitor and a gas station clerk, among others (King Biography 1-2). He graduated in 1970 with a bachelor"s degree in English and a high school teaching certificate (King Biography 1-2). Right out of college he married Tabitha and got a job teaching English at Hampden Academy for a mere $6,400. While working at the school, he began his first novel, Carrie, which was purchased by Doubleday in March 1973 (King Biography 1-2). After this his career was launched. King is now a world renowned a!.

             uthor of horror and fantasy stories and has more than 300 million copies of his books in print (Biography 1). He has actually had 5 books on the bestseller"s list at a time! He has written thirty-six novels, nine screenplays, and a work of nonfiction (Biography 1). All this and his work is still thought of as "undisciplined and inelegant" by many book critics (King Biography 2). In June 1999, Stephen was severely injured in a car crash that "left him in critical condition with injuries to his lungs, broken ribs, a broken leg and a severely fractured hip." (King Biography 2). .

             Stephen King grew up during the 50"s and 60"s. He was born in 1947, so he really came into his own during the Vietnam War period. He was in college during all the peace strikes outside of thousands of colleges around the United States (News Events 1). And he was born just 2 years after World War II, so totalitarianism and nazi"s had a lasting impact on his life (News Events 2).