John Dos Passos was an American novelist and painter, born on January 14, 1896, in Chicago, Illinois. He is best known for his innovative narrative style and his works that explore the social and political issues of the early 20th century. His most famous trilogy, U.S.A., combines fiction, biography, and historical documents to depict American life. Dos Passos was also a prominent figure in the Lost Generation of writers, which included authors like Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald. His experiences during World War I and his leftist political views influenced his writing, making him a significant voice in American literature until his death in 1970.