The American writer known for the novel "The Catcher in the Rye" is J.D. Salinger. First published in 1951, the novel features the character Holden Caulfield, a disenchanted teenager navigating themes of identity, alienation, and loss. Salinger’s work resonates with readers, particularly adolescents, and became a classic of American literature. His reclusive nature later added to the mystique surrounding his life and writing.