Peter Matthiessen (1927–2014) was a multifaceted American author, recognized for his novels, nature writing, and his deep engagement with Zen Buddhism. He was also a co-founder of The Paris Review and, at one point, worked for the CIA. Matthiessen's literary career spanned both fiction and nonfiction, earning him the unique distinction of winning the National Book Award in both categories. His nonfiction often explored themes of nature, wilderness, and American Indian issues, while his fiction delved into complex human experiences and historical settings. Throughout his life, Matthiessen pursued spiritual inquiry, which profoundly influenced his later work and personal philosophy.

His early life included a love for animals, cultivated in a well-to-do family environment, and education at Yale. After marrying and establishing a writing career, he co-founded The Paris Review, using it as a cover for his CIA activities. Matthiessen's extensive travels and research informed his writing, leading to seminal works like "Wildlife in America" and "The Snow Leopard." His exploration of indigenous rights, particularly in "In the Spirit of Crazy Horse," led to significant legal challenges. Matthiessen's spiritual journey included a deep commitment to Zen Buddhism, becoming a priest and teacher, and he also noted early experiences with LSD as influential.

Peter Matthiessen's engagement with spirituality was a defining aspect of his life and work. Following the death of his second wife, Deborah, he deepened his practice of Zen Buddhism, eventually becoming a priest within the White Plum Asanga lineage and transmitting dharma to several students. He viewed his Buddhist practice as a natural evolution from his earlier experiences, including pioneering exploration of LSD. Matthiessen suggested that LSD, when approached with proper care, could serve as a valuable spiritual and therapeutic tool, expressing regret over its prohibition. This spiritual exploration provided a lens through which he examined the natural world and human consciousness, often integrating these themes into his literary output.

Matthiessen achieved significant acclaim for his diverse literary talents, uniquely earning the National Book Award in both nonfiction and fiction. His nonfiction works often focused on the natural world, such as "Wildlife in America" and "The Snow Leopard," and critically examined issues concerning American Indians, exemplified by "In the Spirit of Crazy Horse." This latter work, a detailed investigation into the Leonard Peltier case, led to protracted libel lawsuits that ultimately affirmed Matthiessen's right to present a researched, albeit one-sided, perspective. His fiction, including "At Play in the Fields of the Lord" and the "Watson trilogy" which was later consolidated into "Shadow Country," explored complex narratives often set against historical or remote backdrops. Critics lauded his lyrical prose, particularly his depictions of nature and profound spiritual experiences.

Born in New York City, Peter Matthiessen developed an early affinity for animals, influenced by his family's involvement with conservation organizations and his own upbringing. After serving in the U.S. Navy and graduating from Yale, where he studied English and zoology, he embarked on a writing career. His early years were marked by a period in Paris, where he co-founded the influential literary journal The Paris Review. During this time, he also worked for the CIA, using the magazine as a cover. This period highlights the unconventional and adventurous trajectory of his life, bridging literary pursuits with intelligence work and laying the groundwork for his later explorations in writing and spirituality.

“Like anything that one makes well with one's own hands, writing good nonfiction prose can be profoundly satisfying. Yet after a day of arranging my research, my set of facts, I feel stale and drained, whereas I am energized by fiction. Deep in a novel, one scarcely knows what may surface next, let alone where it comes from. In abandoning oneself to the free creation of something never beheld on earth, one feels almost delirious with a strange joy.”