James A. Michener facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids James A. Michener
Michener in 1991
Born	(1907-02-03)February 3, 1907 Doylestown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	October 16, 1997(1997-10-16) (aged 90) Austin, Texas, U.S.
Occupation	Author philanthropist teacher academic naval officer political advisor
Alma mater	Swarthmore College University of St Andrews University of Northern Colorado
Genre	Historical fiction
Notable works	Tales of the South Pacific (1946)
Notable awards	Pulitzer Prize for Fiction (1948) Presidential Medal of Freedom (1977)
Spouses	Patti Koon (m. 1935; div. 1948) Vange Nord (m. 1948; div. 1955) Mari Yoriko Sabusawa (m. 1955; died 1994)

James Albert Michener (born February 3, 1907 – died October 16, 1997) was a famous American writer. He wrote over 40 books, many of which were very long. His stories often followed families through many generations in specific places, including lots of historical details. Many of his books were bestsellers and were known for the careful research he did.

Some of Michener's well-known books include Tales of the South Pacific, which won him the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1948. Other popular titles are Hawaii, Centennial, Chesapeake, and Alaska. He also wrote non-fiction books like Iberia, about his travels in Spain and Portugal, and his life story, The World Is My Home.

His first book, Tales of the South Pacific, was turned into a very popular Broadway musical called South Pacific by Rodgers and Hammerstein. This musical was later made into movies in 1958 and 2001, which helped Michener become even more successful. Many of his other stories and novels were also made into films and TV shows.

James A. Michener: A Famous American Writer
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James A. Michener: A Famous American Writer

Early Life and Education

James Michener was born in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. He later shared that he didn't know who his birth parents were or his exact birth date or place. He was adopted and raised by Mabel Michener, a Quaker woman, in Doylestown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

He finished Doylestown High School in 1925. He then went to Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania, where he played basketball. In 1929, he graduated with high honors, earning a degree in English and History. After college, he spent two years studying in Scotland at the University of St Andrews.

Michener became a high school English teacher. He taught at The Hill School in Pennsylvania from 1933 to 1936. He also taught at George School in Newtown, Pennsylvania. He later earned a master's degree in education from Colorado State Teachers College, which is now called the University of Northern Colorado. The library at the University of Northern Colorado was named after him in 1972.

In 1935, Michener married Patti Koon. He also worked as a guest lecturer at Harvard University for a short time. Later, he joined Macmillan Publishers as an editor for social studies books.

Becoming a Writer

Even though he was a Quaker and could have avoided military service, Michener joined the United States Navy during World War II (1941–1945). He traveled all over the South Pacific. His experiences during these travels gave him the ideas for his first book, Tales of the South Pacific.

This book was published in 1947 when he was 40 years old. It won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1948. Soon after, Rodgers and Hammerstein turned it into the famous Broadway musical South Pacific. This musical opened in New York City in 1949 and was later made into movies in 1958 and 2001.

Michener's typewriter at the James A. Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, Pennsylvania

Michener became a very popular writer. His novels sold an estimated 75 million copies around the world. His novel Hawaii (1959) was published just as Hawaii became the 50th state. He did a lot of research for this book, and this became his usual way of writing. He would do detailed historical, cultural, and even geological research for almost all his later novels.

His book Centennial (1974) told the story of families in the Rocky Mountains of the American West over many generations. It was made into a popular 12-part TV miniseries that aired on NBC from 1978 to 1979.

Michener wrote very long novels. Some of them were over 1,000 pages! He once said that he would sometimes spend 12 to 15 hours a day at his typewriter for weeks.

His Marriages

Michener was married three times. His first marriage was to Patti Koon in 1935. They divorced in 1948. That same year, he married his second wife, Vange Nord.

Michener met his third wife, Mari Yoriko Sabusawa, in Chicago. She was an American whose Japanese parents were held in special camps by the U.S. government during World War II. Michener divorced Nord in 1955 and married Sabusawa in the same year. Mari Sabusawa passed away in 1994.

Michener's novel Sayonara (1954) was partly based on his own experiences. It tells the story of an American soldier stationed in Japan who falls in love with a Japanese woman. The book explores their cross-cultural romance and the challenges they faced due to racism after World War II. In 1957, it was made into a very successful movie starring Marlon Brando.

Giving Back: Michener as a Philanthropist

Michener became a very generous person, giving away more than $100 million to schools, cultural places, and writing programs. He donated to his old college, Swarthmore College, and to the Iowa Writers Workshop. He also gave more than $37 million to the University of Texas at Austin. By 1992, he was the biggest single donor to the University of Texas at Austin. His wife, Mari Michener, helped him decide where to send his donations.

In 1989, Michener used the money he earned from the Canadian version of his novel Journey to create the Journey Prize. This is an annual Canadian literary award of $10,000 (Canadian dollars) given to a new Canadian writer for the best short story of the year.

Later Life and Legacy

The creative team and star of South Pacific, L–R: Joshua Logan, Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, Mary Martin, and Michener (1949)

In his later years, James and Mari Michener lived in Austin, Texas. They helped create the Michener Center for Writers at the University of Texas at Austin. This center offers special three-year fellowships to a small number of students who want to write fiction, poetry, plays, or screenplays.

In October 1997, Michener, who was suffering from kidney disease, decided to stop his daily dialysis treatment. He said he had achieved what he wanted in life and did not wish for more health problems. He passed away on October 16, 1997, at the age of 90, due to kidney failure. His ashes were placed next to his wife's in Austin, Texas. There is also a memorial headstone for him at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin.

Michener left most of his money and book rights to Swarthmore College, where he earned his bachelor's degree. He had previously given his personal papers to the University of Northern Colorado, where he earned his master's degree.

Awards and Recognition

Michener in 1985

In 1971, Michener received the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement.
In 1980, he threw out the first pitch at a baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Houston Astros.
In 1981, he was given the St. Louis Literary Award from the Saint Louis University Library Associates.
In 1993, the U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation honored Michener with the "Lone Sailor Award" for his service in the Navy and his writing achievements.
In 1994, a restaurant at the Iririki Island Resort in Vanuatu was named "Michener's" in his honor.

Posthumous Honors

On May 12, 2008, the United States Postal Service released a 59¢ postage stamp honoring him.
The library at The University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado, is named "The James Michener Library." It has a small display of his belongings, including one of his typewriters.
In 1998, the Raffles Hotel in Singapore named one of its suites after him. Michener had stayed at the hotel in 1949 after World War II and loved it.

The James A. Michener Art Museum

James Michener Museum in Doylestown, Pennsylvania

The James A. Michener Art Museum opened in 1988 in Michener's hometown of Doylestown, Pennsylvania. It displays art from local and well-known artists. Michener promised $5.5 million to the museum in 1996. The museum was built from parts of an old state prison. It has both permanent and changing art collections. Two special parts of the museum are the James A. Michener display room and the Nakashima Reading Room, which honors his third wife's Japanese background. The museum is also known for its collection of Pennsylvania Impressionist paintings.

The James A. Michener Society

The James A. Michener Society was started in 1998. It is made up of people who are interested in Michener's life and work. The society organizes activities and publishes an online newsletter. Its yearly meetings are held in places connected to Michener's life.

The society's goals are to:

Keep alive the memory of James A. Michener as a writer, teacher, historian, public servant, and generous giver.
Make sure that future generations can easily find all his writings.
Encourage sharing of ideas and information about his books.
Help readers of his books connect with each other.
Share news about new books and reviews of his writings with members.

A Look at His Works

Besides writing novels and non-fiction, Michener was also involved with movies, TV shows, and radio. Here is a selection of his works.

Fiction Books

Title	Year Published	Description
Tales of the South Pacific	1947	This book won a Pulitzer Prize. It's a collection of short stories about World War II in the Pacific.
The Fires of Spring	1949	This story is about a young orphan named David Harper growing up and finding love in America.
Return to Paradise	1950	This book has eight essays, each describing a South Pacific Island, followed by a short story about that island.
The Bridges at Toko-ri	1953	A short novel about young American soldiers fighting in the Korean War.
Sayonara	1954	Set in the early 1950s, it tells the story of Major Gruver, a soldier in Japan, who falls in love with a Japanese woman. It shows the challenges of their cross-cultural romance and racism after World War II.
Hawaii	1959	This historical novel covers hundreds of years of Hawaiian history, showing how different things shaped the people and land.
Caravans	1963	This novel is seen through the eyes of an American diplomat looking for an American woman married to an Afghan engineer. It explores cultural changes in Afghanistan after World War II.
The Source	1965	In The Source, Michener tells the story of how Judaism began and grew, from early Hebrews to the modern conflict between Arabs and Israelis.
The Drifters	1971	The Drifters looks at the lives of young travelers searching for meaning during the Vietnam War era.
Centennial	1974	One of Michener's most praised novels, Centennial tells the story of Colorado, from its very beginning as a landform up to 1976.
Chesapeake	1978	This novel tells the history of a Maryland coastal community in Michener's well-known style.
The Watermen	1978	This is a part taken from his larger novel, Chesapeake, published in the same year.
The Covenant	1980	Michener traces the history of South Africa from ancient bushmen to British colonists, up to the Second Boer War.
Space	1982	This fictional story shows how the lives of scientists, astronauts, and politicians are connected in the United States Space program.
Poland	1983	Inspired by his trips to Poland, this novel explores Polish history and culture from the 1200s to the 1980s.
Texas	1985	In this book, which covers over 400 years, Michener tells the story of how Texas began, its history, and its culture.
Legacy	1987	Legacy is a fictional story about the Iran–Contra scandal, seen through the eyes of a conflicted U.S. lieutenant colonel.
Alaska	1988	This novel traces Alaska's history from ancient times, through the gold rush, and into World War II.
Caribbean	1989	This novel explores the history of the Caribbean, from Columbus's arrival and the days of pirates to the rise of sugar plantations and current problems.
Journey	1989	Journey, based on a chapter from Alaska, follows the difficulties of a British mining trip during the Klondike Gold Rush.
The Novel	1991	The Novel tells the story of a book, from when it's written to when it's published, through the different viewpoints of a writer, editor, reader, and critic.
Mexico	1992	An American journalist, Norman Clay, goes to Mexico to report on a bullfighting duel and to learn more about his family's past.
Recessional	1994	Recessional, Michener's last novel, shows the challenges faced by a doctor caring for a unique patient in a Florida hospice.
Miracle in Seville	1995	Told by an American writer, Miracle in Seville explores the culture of bullfighting in Spain.
Matecumbe	2007	Set in Florida, Matecumbe is a small story about the relationship between a mother and daughter, both divorced and living similar lives.

Non-Fiction Books

Title	Year published	Notes
The Voice of Asia	1951	This book is a collection of fifteen articles from 1951, sharing Michener's personal experiences traveling through Asia after World War II.
The Floating World	1954	Michener explains how Japanese printmakers in the Edo period kept their art alive despite government rules.
The Bridge at Andau	1957	Michener tells the story of hundreds of refugees escaping harsh treatment by the Hungarian State Security Police.
Rascals in Paradise	1957	In this collection, Michener and Day share exciting stories of ten real-life adventurers.
Report of the County Chairman	1961	Michener, who led the Bucks County Citizens for Kennedy Committee, describes campaigning for John F. Kennedy in Pennsylvania.
Iberia	1968	In this non-fiction travel book, Michener explores the culture, history, and geography of Portugal and Spain.
Presidential Lottery	1969	This non-fiction book looks at the problems with the U.S. electoral system and suggests ways to improve it.
The Quality of Life	1970	Michener shares his thoughts and criticisms of U.S. politics and culture in the 1970s, along with his ideas for the future.
Kent State: What Happened and Why	1971	In Kent State, Michener investigates the 1970 shooting of unarmed college students by the Ohio National Guard.
Sports in America	1976	In this non-fiction book, Michener examines sports culture in America and its issues.
Collectors, Forgers—and a Writer: A Memoir	1983	Michener thinks back on early influences in his life in this special edition book.
Six Days in Havana	1989	Based on his research trip to Cuba for his novel Caribbean, Six Days in Havana shares Michener's memories of the lively people and places he saw in Havana.
Pilgrimage: A Memoir of Poland and Rome	1990	Part travel story, part memoir, Pilgrimage tells of Michener's travels to Poland and Italy and his relationships with people like Pope John Paul II.
The Eagle and the Raven	1990	This book tells the story of a time in Texas history when Sam Houston moved to the Mexican state of Tejas and helped lead the 1836 revolution against Mexican president Santa Anna.
My Lost Mexico	1992	Michener describes how he wrote and edited Mexico, a novel he put aside for 30 years before finishing it in 1992.
The World Is My Home	1992	The World Is My Home, Michener's longest memoir, shares his thoughts on both his life and his writing career.
Creatures of the Kingdom	1993	A collection of fifteen animal-focused parts from his novels Hawaii, Centennial, Chesapeake, The Covenant, Texas, and Alaska, plus one new story.
Literary Reflections	1993	Literary Reflections, a collection of Michener's memories, also includes parts from Collectors, Forgers—and a Writer and Testimony.
William Penn	1994	A book by Michener about the life and beliefs of William Penn, who founded and was the first governor of Pennsylvania.
This Noble Land	1996	This Noble Land: My Vision for America, describes the country's strengths and weaknesses and the author's hopes for its future.

Movies and TV Shows Based on His Work

Title	Notes
South Pacific	1949 Broadway musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein based on the novel Tales of the South Pacific (1946).
The Bridges at Toko-Ri	1954 film based on the short novel The Bridges at Toko-ri (1953).
Return to Paradise	1953 film based on the short story "Mr. Morgan" from the collection Return to Paradise (1951).
Men of the Fighting Lady	1954 film inspired by Michener's article "The Forgotten Heroes of Korea."
Until They Sail	1957 film based on a short story from Return to Paradise.
Sayonara	1957 film nominated for 10 Academy Awards and won four, including Best Supporting Actress for Miyoshi Umeki. Based on the novel Sayonara (1954).
South Pacific	1958 film based on the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, which was based on the novel Tales of the South Pacific (1946).
Adventures in Paradise	1959–62 television series created by Michener.
Hawaii	1966 film based on the novel Hawaii (1959).
The Hawaiians	1970 film also based on the novel Hawaii (1959).
Centennial	1978 TV miniseries based on the novel Centennial (1974).
Caravans	1978 film starring Anthony Quinn based on the novel Caravans (1963).
Space	1985 TV miniseries based on the novel Space (1982).
James A. Michener's Texas	1994 TV miniseries based on the novel Texas (1985).
South Pacific	2001 television movie based on the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, which was based on the novel Tales of the South Pacific (1946).