Ross Lockridge Jr.
Bloomington, Indiana, USA

Ross Franklin Lockridge Jr. (April 25, 1914 – March 6, 1948) was an American writer known for his novel Raintree County (1948). The novel became a bestseller and has been praised by readers and critics alike. Some have considered it a "Great American Novel". Lockridge committed suicide at the peak of his novel's success at age 33.

From Wikipedia.