William Strunk Jr. (1869-1946) was an American professor of English at Cornell University and a renowned authority on writing style. He is best known as the author of “The Elements of Style,” a seminal guide to clear and concise writing that has influenced generations of writers and students. Strunk first published the book privately in 1918 for use at Cornell, and it was later revised and expanded by his former student E.B. White in 1959, becoming the classic “Strunk & White” edition.

Throughout his career, Strunk was dedicated to promoting lucid English prose and championing the principles of brevity and clarity in writing. His famous dictum, “Omit needless words,” encapsulates his approach to effective communication. In addition to his work on “The Elements of Style,” Strunk co-authored “The Elements and Practice of Composition” with Edward A. Tenney in 1935.Strunk’s influence extends far beyond academia, with his guide becoming a staple in newsrooms, publishing houses, and writing desks across the English-speaking world. His commitment to clear, precise language has left an indelible mark on American writing and continues to shape how we approach the craft of composition today.