Susan Sheehan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Susan Sheehan
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| Born | Susanna Maria Sachsel August 24, 1937 Vienna, Austria |
| Died | February 17, 2026 (aged 88) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Notable works | Is There No Place on Earth for Me? |
| Notable awards | Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction (1983) |
| Spouse |
Forrest Black II
(m. 1959, divorced) |
| Children | 2 |
Susanna Maria Sheehan (born Sachsel; August 24, 1937 – February 17, 2026) was an American writer. She was known for her detailed non-fiction books and articles. Her writing often explored the lives of ordinary people facing big challenges.
Contents
About Susan Sheehan
Susan Sheehan was an important American writer. She was born in Vienna, Austria, on August 24, 1937. She became famous for her careful and detailed writing style. Her work helped readers understand different parts of society and human experiences.
Her Early Life and Writing Career
Susan Sheehan began her writing career in the 1960s. She became a staff writer for The New Yorker magazine in 1961. This was a very respected magazine. She wrote many articles for them over the years. Her articles also appeared in The New York Times and Architectural Digest. She was known for her ability to tell true stories in a way that was both informative and engaging.
Important Books and Awards
In 1983, Susan Sheehan won the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction. This is a very high honor for writers in the United States. She received it for her book, Is There No Place on Earth for Me? This book tells the story of a young woman in New York City. It explores her experiences with a challenging mental health condition. Parts of this book were first published in The New Yorker.
Another notable work by Sheehan was "A Missing Plane." This was a three-part series published in The New Yorker in 1986. It described the U.S. Army's efforts to identify victims from a 1944 airplane crash. This showed her skill in researching and reporting complex events.
Susan Sheehan was married to journalist Neil Sheehan. He also won a Pulitzer Prize for his book about the Vietnam War. Susan helped her husband with his important work on the Pentagon Papers. These were government documents about the Vietnam War. Susan Sheehan passed away in Washington, D.C. on February 17, 2026, at the age of 88.
Her Published Works
Susan Sheehan wrote several other important books. These books covered a variety of topics. They often focused on real-life stories and social issues.
- 1967 Ten Vietnamese
- 1976 A welfare mother
- 1978 A prison and a prisoner
- 1984 Kate Quinton's days
- 1986 A missing plane
- 1993 Life for Me Ain't Been No Crystal Stair
- 2002 The Banana Sculptor, the Purple Lady, and the All-Night Swimmer: Hobbies, Collecting, and Other Passionate Pursuits (co-written with Howard Means)
