Flickr: Creative Commons by Steve Rhodes

In a surprise that will bring shockwaves to America's writer community, award-winning author David Foster Wallace was found dead by his wife on Friday night in Claremont, California. The cause of death was suicide by hanging.

Although his was not a household name, Wallace was well known in the literary community. His prodigious writings spanned many topics including addiction, depression, tennis, and philosophy.

The Associated Press's Hillel Italie broke the news Sunday evening. His article features quotes from friends and Wallace's longtime editor, Michael Pietsch. You can read it here.