Thomas Keneally facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Keneally
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Keneally in 2012
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| Born | Thomas Michael Keneally 7 October 1935 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation | Novelist |
| Notable awards | Booker Prize |
| Spouse | Judy Martin (m. 1965) |
| Children | 2 |
Thomas Michael Keneally (born 7 October 1935) is a famous Australian writer. He writes novels, plays, and essays. He is most known for his historical novel Schindler's Ark. This book tells the true story of Oskar Schindler, who saved many Jewish people during the Holocaust. The book won the important Booker Prize in 1982. Later, it became the movie Schindler's List, directed by Steven Spielberg. This film won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Thomas Keneally's parents were born in Kempsey, New South Wales. Even though Thomas was born in Sydney, he spent his early years in Kempsey too. His father, Edmund Thomas Keneally, was a pilot in the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II. After the war, his family moved to Homebush, a suburb of Sydney.
Keneally went to St Patrick's College, Strathfield. He was a very good student, especially in English. After high school, he started training to become a Catholic priest at St Patrick's Seminary, Manly. He stayed there for six years. Although he became a deacon, he decided not to become a priest and left the seminary. Before becoming a successful writer, he worked as a schoolteacher in Sydney. He also taught at the University of New England, Australia for a few years.
Until 1964, people called him "Mick." But when he started publishing books, his publisher suggested he use his real first name, Thomas.
A Career in Writing
Thomas Keneally's first story was published in The Bulletin magazine in 1962. He has written more than 50 books, including 30 novels. His most famous book is Schindler's Ark (1982). This book was the first by an Australian writer to win the prestigious Booker Prize. It was later made into the well-known film Schindler's List. Keneally was nominated for the Booker Prize three times before winning it.
Many of his novels are based on real historical events. He takes these historical stories and tells them in a modern way. Keneally has also acted in a few movies. He had roles in films like The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith (1978) and The Devil's Playground (1976).
Keneally has been involved in important literary groups in Australia. He was a member of the Literature Board of the Australia Council for the Arts. He also served as President of the National Book Council. In 2011, the Tom Keneally Centre opened in Sydney. It holds his books and other items, and it's a place for book events and writing classes. He is also an ambassador for the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. This group helps people seeking asylum in Australia.
Personal Life
Thomas Keneally married Judy Martin in 1965. They have two daughters, Margaret and Jane.
Keneally was the first chairman of the Australian Republic Movement. This group wants Australia to become a republic, meaning it would have its own head of state instead of the British monarch. He wrote a book about this topic called Our Republic in 1993. He is also a big fan of rugby league football, especially the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles team.
In 2009, the Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd, gave a signed copy of Keneally's book about Abraham Lincoln to US President Barack Obama. Keneally's nephew, Ben, is married to Kristina Keneally. She is a well-known Australian politician and former Premier of New South Wales.
Schindler's Ark Story
Keneally wrote Schindler's Ark in 1982. He was inspired by Poldek Pfefferberg, a survivor of the Holocaust. In 1980, Keneally met Pfefferberg in his shop. Pfefferberg learned Keneally was a writer and showed him his many files about Oskar Schindler. These files included the original list of people Schindler saved.
Keneally was very interested. Pfefferberg became an advisor for the book. He even went with Keneally to Poland to visit places connected to Schindler's story. Keneally dedicated Schindler's Ark to Pfefferberg. He said that what drew him to Oskar Schindler was that it was hard to tell where Schindler's self-interest ended and his kindness began. He liked that good could come from unexpected places. The book was later made into the movie Schindler's List (1993) by Steven Spielberg. This film earned Spielberg his first Best Director Oscar. Keneally wrote another book, Searching for Schindler: A Memoir (2007), about his meetings with Pfefferberg and their research.
Some of the documents from Pfefferberg that inspired Keneally are now kept at the State Library of New South Wales in Sydney.
Awards and Recognition
Thomas Keneally has received many awards for his writing. In 1973, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. In 1983, he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO). This is a high honor in Australia. He is also considered an Australian Living Treasure. Keneally once said he was offered another award, the Commander of the Order of the British Empire, but he turned it down. He joked, "I pitied any empire of which I was a commander."
In 2010, the Australian postal service released a stamp in his honor. He has also received honorary doctorates from universities, including the National University of Ireland.
Major Literary Awards
* Schindler's Ark, winner 1982 * The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith, shortlisted 1972 * Gossip from the Forest, shortlisted 1975 * Confederates, shortlisted 1979
- Miles Franklin Award:
* Bring Larks and Heroes, winner 1967 * Three Cheers for the Paraclete, winner 1968
- ARA Historical Novel Prize:
* Corporal Hitler's pistol, winner 2022
See also
In Spanish: Thomas Keneally para niños
