Jonathan Dee, born May 19, 1962, is an American writer known for both his novels and non-fiction work. He pursued his literary education at Yale University, where he studied fiction writing under John Hersey. Following his graduation, Dee began his career at The Paris Review, serving as an Associate Editor and assisting George Plimpton. During this time, he was involved in Plimpton's well-known April Fool's joke concerning the fictional baseball player Sidd Finch.

Dee has authored eight novels, including titles such as 'The Lover of History,' 'The Liberty Campaign,' and 'The Privileges.' His novel 'The Privileges' achieved significant recognition, being a finalist for the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and winning the 2011 Prix Fitzgerald. In addition to his fiction, Dee contributes to The New York Times Magazine and Harper's. His academic career includes teaching in graduate writing programs at Columbia University and The New School, and he currently holds a professorship at Syracuse University. He also collaborated on the oral biography of George Plimpton, titled 'George, Being George.'

Jonathan Dee's career as a novelist and non-fiction writer has garnered notable recognition. He has published eight novels, with 'The Privileges' (2010) standing out as a finalist for the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the winner of the 2011 Prix Fitzgerald. His other published novels include 'The Lover of History' (1990), 'The Liberty Campaign' (1993), 'St. Famous' (1996), 'Palladio' (2002), 'A Thousand Pardons' (2013), 'The Locals' (2017), and 'Sugar Street' (2022). Dee has also made contributions to prominent publications, serving as a staff writer for The New York Times Magazine and a contributor to Harper's. His critical writing for Harper's earned him a nomination for a National Magazine Award in 2010. He has been supported by fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Guggenheim Foundation, and he was the second recipient of the St. Francis College Literary Prize.

Dee's engagement with the literary world extends beyond his writing to include editorial and academic roles. His early career included a position at The Paris Review, where he worked as an Associate Editor and personal assistant to George Plimpton. In this capacity, he contributed to Plimpton's widely known April Fool's joke involving the fictional baseball pitcher Sidd Finch for Sports Illustrated. Dee has also been involved in literary education, teaching in graduate writing programs at Columbia University and The New School. He currently holds a professorship in the graduate writing program at Syracuse University. Furthermore, he collaborated on the oral biography of George Plimpton, titled 'George, Being George,' published in 2008, and conducted interviews for The Paris Review's 'The Art of Fiction' series, including an interview with John Hersey and a co-interview with Grace Paley.

Jonathan Dee resides in Syracuse, New York, with his wife, Dana Spiotta, who is also a writer. They live in the historic John G. Ayling House, a detail that situates their personal life within a specific architectural and local context in Syracuse.