William Faulkner William Faulkner was a Nobel and Pulitzer prize-winning American novelist and short story writer. Many recognize him as one of the greatest fictional writers of the 20th century. Early days William Cuthbert Falkner (older spelling) was born on Septem, in New Albany, Mississippi, the eldest of four sons born to Murry and Maud Butler Falkner. His great-grandfather.