Playwright August Wilson's story-telling came out of Pittsburgh roots

Published: 2005-10-06

PITTSBURGH (CNS) -- August Wilson, a native of Pittsburgh's Hill District who forged his experiences in that community into an acclaimed series of 10 plays that helped to define African-American life in the 20th century, saw his work touch audiences around the world. Wilson died Oct. 2 of liver cancer at age 60 in Seattle, where he had lived for the last 11 years. Funeral services were scheduled for Oct. 8 in Pittsburgh's Soldiers & Sailors National Museum and Memorial. A memorial Mass also was to be celebrated at St. Benedict the Moor Church in Pittsburgh, where several family members still are parishioners. Wilson's works are regarded as a major literary achievement, the characters and stories he created giving voice to the challenges African-Americans faced in society.

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