J. D. Salinger Jerome David `` J. D. '' Salinger ( ; German / / ; January 1 , 1919 January 27 , 2010 ) was an American writer who won acclaim early in life .
J. D. Salinger Jerome David Salinger ( January 1 , 1919 -- January 27 , 2010 ) , better known as J. D. Salinger , was an American writer .