Marquis James facts for kids

Marquis James (born August 29, 1891, in Springfield, Missouri – died November 19, 1955) was a famous American writer and journalist. He won the prestigious Pulitzer Prize twice! He earned these awards for his amazing books: The Raven: A Biography of Sam Houston and The Life of Andrew Jackson.

Early Life and School Days

Marquis James was born in Springfield, Missouri, on August 29, 1891. He was the fifth child and only son of Houstin James, a lawyer, and Rachel Leo Marquis, a schoolteacher.

His father, Houstin, was a veteran of the American Civil War. He took part in the exciting Land run of 1889 and the Land Run of 1893. These "land runs" were events where people raced to claim land in Oklahoma. In 1893, Houstin successfully claimed land near Enid, Oklahoma, and the family moved there.

Marquis James went to East Hill School and Central. He graduated from Enid High School in 1910. After high school, he studied for one year at Oklahoma Christian University. This school later became Phillips University.

A Career in Journalism

Even in high school, Marquis James loved writing. He helped start The Quill, which was Enid's student newspaper. When he was only 14, he became a reporter for the Enid Events newspaper.

He worked for many local newspapers, including the Wave Democrat and the Enid Morning News. He also sent articles about Enid to bigger papers like the Wichita Eagle. In 1916, he became a rewrite editor for the New York Tribune. This meant he helped make stories clearer and better.

From 1916 to 1918, Marquis James wrote short stories and serials for the Chicago Ledger. These were popular stories published in parts over time.

Serving in World War I

Marquis James served his country during the First World War. He was an Army captain in France from 1917 to 1919.

After his military service, he became the National Director of Publicity for the American Legion. This group supports veterans. He also worked for the American Legion Monthly magazine from 1923 to 1932. James also wrote for The New Yorker magazine. Sometimes, he used the pen name "Quid."

Personal Life and Legacy

In 1914, James married Bessie Williams Rowland, who was also a reporter. They worked together on children's books. These books were based on the biographies that won James his Pulitzer Prizes. They had one daughter named Cynthia.

Marquis James passed away suddenly on November 19, 1955, at age 64. He was working on a book about Booker T. Washington when he died.

In 1964, The Public Library of Enid and Garfield County dedicated the Marquis James room to him. This room holds items about his life and career. In 2016, the library was recognized as a National Literary Landmark in his honor.