John Green
An author and online creator who reshaped young adult literature with emotional depth and built a digital community founded on intellectual curiosity and kindness.
Born 1977 (age 49)·American author and YouTuber·Birthday: August 24·Generation X
Biography
John Green didn't just write books; he built a universe. A former publishing assistant and radio production assistant, he found his voice writing realistic, witty, and deeply felt novels for teenagers that treated their emotional lives with seriousness. 'The Fault in Our Stars' became a global phenomenon, a tear-soaked bestseller that proved YA fiction could tackle terminal illness with humor and grace. But Green's influence extends far beyond the page. With his brother Hank, he pioneered a new model of online community through the Vlogbrothers YouTube channel and the sprawling 'Nerdfighter' network, built around the motto 'Don't Forget To Be Awesome.' Their projects, from Crash Course educational videos to the Project for Awesome charity event, championed learning and empathy. Green, who has been open about his struggles with anxiety and OCD, represents a unique 21st-century figure: a massively successful author whose primary platform is a dialogue with his readers, fostering a culture where it's cool to care deeply.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
John was born in 1977, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When John Was Born
The biggest hits of 1977
#1 Movie
Star Wars
Best Picture
Annie Hall
#1 TV Show
Happy Days
John's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1977Born
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1982Started school
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1990Became a teenager
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1993Could drive
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1995Could vote
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Turned 21
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2007Turned 30
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2017Turned 40
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 49 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Authored 'The Fault in Our Stars', a #1 New York Times bestseller that spent over 200 weeks on the list and was adapted into a major film.
- Co-created the educational YouTube channel Crash Course, which has taught millions of students about literature, history, and science.
- Co-founded the annual charity event Project for Awesome, which has raised millions of dollars for non-profit organizations.
Did You Know?
He was named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2014.
He worked as a student chaplain at a children's hospital, an experience that influenced 'The Fault in Our Stars'.
He and his brother Hank coined the term 'Nerdfighter' to describe their community.
He is an avid supporter of Association Football club AFC Wimbledon and has commented on matches for the club.
“My thoughts are stars I cannot fathom into constellations.”
