Williams was born in Columbus, Mississippi, on March 26, 1911, and named Thomas Lanier Williams.

He received a B.A. degree from the University of Iowa in 1938.

The Glass Menagerie won the New York Drama Critics' Circle award as the best play of the season.

Both The Glass Menagerie and Cat On A Hot Tin Roof won him Pulitzer Preizes in Drama.

Williams died in New York City, February 25, 1983.