Sinclair Lewis, an American writer and playwright, was born in Sauk Centre, Minnesota in 1885. He was proud of his Midwestern roots but also traveled widely and explored various aspects of American society such as business, medicine, religion, and small-town life. His work reflects his concerns about gender, race, and societal issues, which remain relevant today. Sinclair Lewis is considered the conscience of his generation and his insights from the 1920s still resonate in contemporary America.