The winner of 3 Pulitzer Prizes in 2 different categories, he called his home in Conn. “the house the bridge built”
On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the Final Jeopardy round featured the category “Writers.” The clue read: “The winner of 3 Pulitzer Prizes in 2 different categories, he called his home in Conn. ‘the house the bridge built.’” As is often the case in this category, the wording pointed toward a prominent American literary figure whose career spanned multiple forms of writing and whose achievements were widely recognized.
What is Thornton Wilder?
The correct response was: What is Thornton Wilder?
Thornton Wilder fits every element of the clue with precision. Over the course of his distinguished career, Wilder earned three Pulitzer Prizes across two different categories. He won the Pulitzer Prize for the novel The Bridge of San Luis Rey in 1928, and later received two Pulitzer Prizes for Drama for the plays Our Town in 1938 and The Skin of Our Teeth in 1943. Few writers have achieved such distinction in both fiction and drama, making him a standout figure in twentieth century American literature.
The reference to his Connecticut home as “the house the bridge built” directly alludes to the commercial success of The Bridge of San Luis Rey. The novel became a major bestseller, significantly elevating Wilder’s reputation and financial standing. The earnings from that work enabled him to purchase and maintain a home in Connecticut, a state where he would reside for much of his life. The phrase cleverly connects his literary breakthrough to his personal life, reinforcing how pivotal the novel was to his career.
Pulitzer Success Across Two Literary Forms
Wilder’s Pulitzer record is notable not only for the number of awards but also for the breadth of categories in which he triumphed. The Pulitzer Prize for Fiction recognized The Bridge of San Luis Rey for its philosophical exploration of fate and human connection, set in eighteenth century Peru. The novel’s structure and thematic depth resonated strongly with critics and readers alike.
A decade later, Wilder achieved acclaim in a different arena with Our Town, a play that broke with many theatrical conventions of its time. Its minimalist staging and direct address to the audience marked a departure from traditional realism, while its focus on everyday life in a small American town gave it enduring appeal. His third Pulitzer, awarded for The Skin of Our Teeth, further cemented his status as one of the most innovative playwrights of his era.
A Connecticut Life and Lasting Legacy
Wilder spent much of his later life in Connecticut, where he continued to write and engage with the literary community. The state became closely associated with him, both personally and professionally. His remark about living in “the house the bridge built” offers a glimpse into his awareness of how transformative his early success had been.
Today, Thornton Wilder remains a central figure in American letters. His works are still widely read and performed, and his Pulitzer achievements place him among a select group of writers recognized across multiple literary disciplines. The Final Jeopardy clue for February 17, 2026, highlighted not only his awards but also the lasting impact of a single, career-defining novel that quite literally shaped the course of his life.