The Catcher in the Rye is a novel by J.D. Salinger written in the 1950s. J.D. Salinger was born on January 1, 1919 in New York City. He was from a prosperous Jewish family and served the country army during World War two. Hew was one of the first American soldiers who had entered a liberated concentration camp. He was married and was said to be very controlling. He forced his wife and kids to live in solitude, away from civilization. The Catcher in the Rye set a new course for literature in post World War two. It was one of the most taught books of the 20th century.