Louis Owens facts for kids

Louis Dean Owens (born in Lompoc, California, on July 18, 1948 – died in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on July 25, 2002) was a well-known writer and expert. He was known for his family background, which included Choctaw, Cherokee, and Irish-American roots. Louis Owens became famous for his mystery novels that often featured Native American themes. He also helped create the field of Native American Studies, which is about the history and culture of Native American people. He was a professor and wrote many articles and reviews for different magazines.

About Louis Owens

Louis Owens was born in Lompoc, California, on July 18, 1948. He was one of nine children in his family. He often spoke about his family's heritage, which included Choctaw and Cherokee ancestors. Even though he wasn't officially registered with any Native American tribe, he still felt a strong connection to his Native American identity. He grew up in the countryside of Mississippi and California. His first job was picking beans when he was only nine years old.

From 1969 to 1974, Louis Owens worked as a forest ranger and firefighter. He helped protect forests in Washington State. He went to college at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he earned his first two degrees. Later, he got his Ph.D. in 1981 from the University of California, Davis.

Teaching and Writing Career

Louis Owens taught at several universities, including the University of California, Davis, University of California, Santa Cruz, California State University, Northridge, and the University of New Mexico. He wrote five novels in total. His books often explored the lives of Native Americans in modern society. They also looked at ideas of identity and having mixed family backgrounds. People knew his novels for mixing exciting thriller stories with bigger, more important themes.

Besides novels, he wrote five collections of essays and literary criticism. Literary criticism means writing about and analyzing other books and authors. He was a leading expert on Native American fiction. Louis Owens was also considered an expert on the works of famous American author John Steinbeck. He wrote many articles and reviews for different publications like American Indian Quarterly and USA Today.

Louis Owens passed away on July 26, 2002, in Albuquerque. He was a professor of English and Native American Studies at the University of California, Davis at the time of his death.

Awards and Honors

Louis Owens received many awards for his writing and teaching.

• In 1998, he was named Writer of the Year by the Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers & Storytellers for his book Mixedblood Messages.
• He won the American Book Award in 1997 for his novel Nightland.
• His books The Sharpest Sight and Other Destinies both won the Josephine Miles, PEN Oakland Award in 1993.
• The Sharpest Sight also won the Roman Noir Award in France in 1995. This award is like the Edgar Award in the U.S., which honors the best mystery stories.
• His book Bone Game was chosen as the best book published by the University of Oklahoma Press in 1994.

Louis Owens was also a Fulbright lecturer. This meant he taught American literature at the University of Pisa, Italy, from 1980 to 1981. He received special grants and fellowships to support his writing and research. He was also recognized for his teaching, winning the Outstanding Teacher of the Year award in 1985-86 and the Distinguished Teaching Award in 1992.

Novels by Louis Owens

• Wolfsong. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1995.
• The Sharpest Sight. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1995.
• Bone Game. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1996.
• Nightland. Dutton, 1996. (This book won an American Book Award).
• Dark River. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1999.

Other Books and Writings

Louis Owens also wrote and contributed to many other books, including collections of essays and literary criticism. These books often explored Native American literature and culture.

• I Hear the Train: Reflections, Inventions, Refractions, University of Oklahoma Press.
• Mixed Blood Messages: Literature, Film, Family, Place, University of Oklahoma Press.
• Other Destinies, University of Oklahoma Press.
• The Grapes of Wrath: Trouble in the Promised Land, Twayne Pub.
• John Steinbeck's Re-Vision of America, University of Georgia Press.
• American Indian Novelists : An Annotated Critical Bibliography, with Tom Colonnese, Garland Press.

See also

• List of writers from peoples indigenous to the Americas