Dee Brown (writer) facts for kids

Dorris Alexander "Dee" Brown (born February 29, 1908 – died December 12, 2002) was an American novelist, historian, and librarian. He wrote many books. His most famous book is Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (1970). This book shares the history of American growth from the perspective of Native Americans.

Dee Brown's Early Life

Dee Brown was born in Alberta, Louisiana. This was a town with a sawmill. He grew up in Ouachita County, Arkansas. When he was 13, the area had an oil boom.

His mother later moved to Little Rock. She wanted Dee and his siblings to go to a better high school. Dee spent a lot of time at the public library. He read a three-volume book about the Lewis and Clark Expedition. This made him very interested in the American West. He also discovered books by other famous writers. These writers later influenced his own work.

How Dee Brown Learned About Native Americans

While watching baseball games, Dee Brown met Chief Yellow Horse. He was a pitcher for the Arkansas Travelers. Brown also had a childhood friend who was Creek. These experiences helped Brown see Native Americans differently. At the time, many people thought Native Americans were violent. Brown learned that this was not true.

Dee Brown's Education and Career Path

Brown worked as a printer and reporter in Harrison, Arkansas. He decided to go to college at Arkansas State Teachers College. This college is in Conway, Arkansas. His history professor, Dean D. McBrien, encouraged him to become a writer. They even traveled west together in an old car.

At college, Brown edited the student newspaper. He also worked as a student assistant in the library. This job convinced him that he wanted to be a librarian.

Dee Brown's Adult Life and Writing

During the Great Depression, Brown went to George Washington University. He studied there in Washington, D.C. He worked part-time and attended classes. He also married Sally Stroud. She was also a graduate of Arkansas State Teachers College.

Brown found a full-time job as a librarian. He worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture from 1934 to 1942.

Dee Brown's First Books

Brown wrote his first novel, but it was not published. This was because of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. His publisher suggested he write something patriotic. So, he wrote Wave High The Banner. This book was a story about Davy Crockett. Davy Crockett was an acquaintance of Brown's great-grandfather.

Soon after, Brown joined the U.S. Army. He worked as a librarian for the United States Department of War. He never went overseas during the war. He met Martin Schmitt in the army. They later wrote several books together.

Becoming a Professor and Author

From 1948 to 1972, Brown was an agriculture librarian. He worked at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. He earned a master's degree in library science there. He also became a professor. He and his wife, Sally, raised their two children, Mitchell and Linda.

Brown wrote books in his free time. By the end of the 1950s, he had published nine books. Three were fiction, and six were non-fiction. In the 1960s, he wrote eight more books. One of these was The Galvanized Yankees. He said this book needed the most research. Another favorite of his was The Year of the Century: 1876.

The Success of Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee

In 1971, his book Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee became a huge success. It was a best-seller. Many readers thought Brown was of Native American heritage. However, he was not.

Later Years and Works

In 1973, Brown and his wife retired. They moved to Little Rock, Arkansas. There, he focused on writing full-time. His later books include Creek Mary's Blood. This novel tells the story of several generations of a family. They were descended from a Creek woman.

Another book was Hear That Lonesome Whistle Blow. This book was about the building of the western railroads. It covered both the tricks and the romance involved. His last full-length book was Way To Bright Star. It was a picaresque novel set during the Civil War. He planned a sequel but never finished it. It was going to feature P. T. Barnum and Abraham Lincoln.

Dee Brown passed away at 94 years old in Little Rock, Arkansas. He is buried in Urbana, Illinois, with his wife.

Legacy and Honors

• The Central Arkansas Library System named a branch library after him. This library is in Little Rock, Arkansas.

See also

In Spanish: Dee Brown (escritor) para niños