Acclaimed fiction writer and former Stanford Prof. Gilbert Sorrentino died earlier this month, May 18, in New York City. Over the course of his expansive career, he authored a number of novels, books of poetry, short stories and criticisms.

His most critically acclaimed novel was “Mulligan Stew,” which Eaven Boland, director of Stanford’s Creative Writing Program described as, “A wonderful, linguistically anarchic book, paying tribute to his influences, Myles na Gopaleen and James Joyce.”

Sorrentino was born in Brooklyn in 1929 and entered Brooklyn College in 1950. He worked in various jobs in the publishing industry in New York City, according to “Who’s Who in America.” He then entered academia, and served on the faculties at Columbia University, Sarah Lawrence College, the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania and the New School of Social Research in New York. After a round of teaching jobs in New England, he moved to California in 1982 taking an English professorship at Stanford.

While at the University, Sorrentino taught a number of seminars and workshops on novelists and writing. He taught on campus until 1999 when he retired to New York.

“With over 20 books of fiction and poetry, Sorrentino was one of the most prolific of avant-garde writers,” said English Department Chair Ramon Saldivar. “In his two decades on the faculty at Stanford he helped solidify the reputation of the creative writing unit of the Department of English into one of the most prestigious in the world.”

Boland, who was director of the Creative Writing Program for about four years while Sorrentino was on faculty, recalled how his presence and interactions enriched the writing community.

“He was an eminent writer — experimental and steadfast — and a model and hero for many young writers,” Boland said in an email to the English Department and Creative Writing Program. “And I want to add, on a personal note, how often he showed me courtesy and assistance and let me listen to fascinating details of his early life as a writer in New York.”

Sorrentino not only leaves behind a legacy to the wider literary world but also a lasting impact on the writing program here.

“He was a bravely unswerving experimental writer,” Boland said. “He brought that witness and example to teaching the Stegner workshop in fiction and also into the classroom. Universities only rarely host experimental writers. So his voice was particularly valuable. His vision, defiance of the orthodox and courage as a stylist was a real gift. The Creative Writing Program is honored to have been associated with him.”

Sorrentino was 77 and died of complications due to lung cancer. He is survived by his wife, Victoria Ortiz, his two sons and his three grandchildren.