James A. Michener

James A. Michener (1907-1997), American writer, who became known for the voluminous research he incorporates and makes accessible and interesting in his writings. Michener's books typically provide a detailed discussion of the history and geography of specific regions.

James Albert Michener was born in New York City and educated at Swarthmore College and Colorado State College of Education (now University of Northern Colorado). After he worked as a teacher, his wide-ranging writing career began when his experiences during World War II (1939-1945) provided the material for a book of short stories, Tales of the South Pacific (1947). This work received the 1948 Pulitzer Prize in fiction and was the source of the musical South Pacific (1949). Michener's other popular works of fiction include the lengthy historical novels Sayonara (1954); Hawaii (1959); Chesapeake (1978); The Covenant (1980), about South African apartheid; Poland (1982); Texas (1985); and Alaska (1988); as well as The Novel (1991), Recessional (1994), and A Miracle in Seville (1995). His nonfiction includes The Bridge at Andau (1957); Iberia: Spanish Travels and Reflections (1968); and a collection of nonfiction pieces, A Michener Miscellany: 1950-1970 (published 1973). Michener's memoir, The World Is My Home, was published in 1992.