In 1929, Williams began to pursue a degree in journalism at the University of Missouri. He began to enter some of his work in writing contests, in hopes of earning a bit of extra income. His first play, Beauty Is the Word, made him the first ever freshman to receive an honorable mention in a writing competition.However, Williams was bored by his university classes, and he did not feel like he fit in with the other men attending the school. Eventually he was pulled out of school by his father, who put him to work at the International Shoe Company factory. This job drove Williams into a deep depression, but also fueled his passion for writing. He committed himself to writing one story a week, and would often stay up late into the night working at his typewriter. He soon had a nervous breakdown and left his job. 

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     After recovering from his breakdown, Williams returned to university. He originally enrolled at Washington University in 1936, but ended up transferring to the University of Iowa in 1937. He graduated with a BA in English in 1938. After that, he spent some time studying at the Dramatic Workshop of the New School in New York City. Williams credited the theatre with saving his life. It was then that he adopted his professional pen name, Tennessee Williams, in 1939. He then took up permanent residence in New Orleans. 

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     Williams’ first big success was The Glass Menagerie, which premiered on Broadway in 1945. The play featured a Southern family living in a tenement, which was largely inspired by William’s own family. The mother, Amanda, is representative of William’s own domineering mother. The shy, disabled sister, Laura, is clearly inspired by William’s older sister Rose, whom he was very close with. Rose was an important figure in William’s life, and he was deeply affected when she was lobotomized and institutionalized for her schizophrenia. Influences of Rose can be seen in many of his female characters. The Glass Menagerie won the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award.

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     Williams’ next hit was A Streetcar Named Desire in 1947. This play secured his position as a great American playwright. It was around this same time period that William’s met the love of his life, Frank Merlo. Merlo became Williams’ partner, and the two began to travel together. Williams enjoyed traveling to gain inspiration for his writing. However, in 1963 Merlo died, sending Williams into another horrible depression.

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     For the rest of his life, Williams struggled with depression and addiction. He had troubles with prescription drugs and alcohol. He also lived in fear that he would one day go insane like his sister. On February 25, 1983, Williams choked to death on a bottlecap in his suite at the Hotel Elysée in New York. He is said to have been found surrounded by bottles of wine and pills. Williams was 71 when he died. He left the majority of his estate in a trust for his sister. During his life he wrote twenty-five full length plays, as well as many short stories, screenplays, novels, and poems. He is still remembered as one of the greatest American playwrights, and there is a literary festival in New Orleans that honors him every year.