Tony Hillerman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tony Hillerman
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| Born | Anthony Grove Hillerman May 27, 1925 Sacred Heart, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Died | October 26, 2008 (aged 83) Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Occupation | Novelist, journalist, educator |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | University of Oklahoma University of New Mexico |
| Notable awards | 1974 Edgar Award for Best Novel 1987 Grand Prix de Littérature Policière 1988 Anthony Award 1991 Nero Award 1995 Anthony Award anthology 2002 Anthony Awards memoir Special Friends of the Dineh Award |
| Spouse | Marie Unzner |
| Children | 6, including Anne Hillerman |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Army |
| Years of service | 1943–1945 |
| Unit | 103rd Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Silver Star Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart |
Anthony Grove Hillerman (born May 27, 1925 – died October 26, 2008) was an American writer. He was famous for his mystery novels. These books featured police officers from the Navajo Nation Police. Their names were Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee. Many of his stories were made into movies and TV shows.
Contents
About Tony Hillerman
Tony Hillerman was born in Sacred Heart, Oklahoma. His father, August Alfred Hillerman, was a farmer and shopkeeper. His mother was Lucy Grove. Tony was the youngest of their three children. He grew up in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma. He went to school with Potawatomi children.
Growing up with Native American children helped him write about them. He said it taught him that "Indians are just like everybody else." This helped him avoid an "us and them" way of thinking.
His Military Service
Hillerman was a brave soldier in World War II. He served from 1943 to 1945. He was a mortarman in the 103rd Infantry Division. He fought in Europe. He earned several important awards for his bravery. These included the Silver Star, the Bronze Star Medal, and a Purple Heart. He was hurt in 1945. His injuries included broken bones, burns, and temporary blindness.
Life After the War
After the war, Hillerman went to the University of Oklahoma. There, he met Marie Unzner. She was studying microbiology. They got married and had one biological child. They also adopted five other children. In 1948, he earned a degree in journalism.
From 1948 to 1962, he worked as a journalist. He moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 1952. In 1966, his family moved to Albuquerque. He earned a master's degree from the University of New Mexico. While working as a reporter, he met a sheriff who inspired his character Joe Leaphorn.
Hillerman taught journalism at the University of New Mexico. He taught from 1966 to 1987. During this time, he also started writing novels. He lived in Albuquerque with his wife Marie until he passed away in 2008. They were married for 60 years. They also had 10 grandchildren.
His Famous Books
Tony Hillerman was a very popular author. He wrote 18 books in his Navajo series. In total, he wrote more than 30 books. These included a memoir and books about the beautiful Southwest. His books have been translated into many languages.
Hillerman's writing is known for its amazing details. He wrote about the cultures of the Hopi, Zuni, and European settlers. Most importantly, he wrote about the Navajo Nation Police. His books show his love for the American Southwest. They also show his respect for its native people, especially the Navajo.
His mystery novels are set in the Four Corners area. This area includes parts of New Mexico and Arizona. Sometimes his stories also go into Colorado and Utah. The main characters are Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee. They are officers with the Navajo Nation Police.
Lieutenant Leaphorn first appeared in Hillerman's first novel, The Blessing Way (1970). Sergeant Jim Chee was introduced later in People of Darkness. The two officers first worked together in Skinwalkers. This book became very popular.
Who Inspired Him
Hillerman often said he was inspired by an Australian author. This author was Arthur W. Upfield. Upfield wrote mystery novels set among Australian Aborigines. His hero, Detective-Inspector Napoleon (Bony) Bonaparte, understood Aboriginal traditions. Hillerman said his character Jim Chee was like Bony. Chee could solve mysteries by understanding his people's ways. He could also read signs in the desert.
He also mentioned other writers who influenced him. These included Eric Ambler, Graham Greene, and Raymond Chandler.
In an interview, Hillerman shared his Navajo name. It means "He who is afraid of his horse."
Tony Hillerman passed away on October 26, 2008. He was 83 years old. He died in Albuquerque from lung problems. He was buried at Santa Fe National Cemetery.
Popular Around the World
Hillerman's novels were very popular in France. He believed this was because the French were curious about other cultures. He also gave credit to his translator, Pierre Bondil.
His Lasting Impact
Tony Hillerman is seen as one of New Mexico's most important writers. The Tony Hillerman Library opened in Albuquerque in 2008. The Tony Hillerman Middle School opened in 2009. His book Dance Hall of the Dead won a major French award in 1987. This was the Grand Prix de Littérature Policière. He also received an honorary degree from the University of New Mexico in 1990. In 2008, he won the Owen Wister Award. This award honors people who have made great contributions to the American West.
Awards and Honors
Tony Hillerman received many awards for his writing. His first nomination was in 1972 for The Fly on the Wall. Two years later, his novel Dance Hall of the Dead won the 1974 Edgar Award for Best Novel. This is a very important award for mystery writers.
In 1991, he received the MWA Grand Master Award. This is a lifetime achievement award from the Mystery Writers of America. He also won the Nero Award for Coyote Waits. The Navajo Tribe gave him the Special Friends of the Dineh Award. This showed their appreciation for his work.
Hillerman also won several Anthony Awards. His novel Skinwalkers won "Best Novel" in 1988. His short story collection The Mysterious West won in 1995. His memoir Seldom Disappointed won for "Best Non-fiction" in 2002.
Two of his Navajo Police novels won The Spur award. This award is given by the Western Writers of America. Skinwalkers won in 1987. The Shape Shifter won in 2007. His memoir Seldom Disappointed: A Memoir also won the Agatha Award in 2001.
Books on Screen
Several of Tony Hillerman's books have been made into movies and TV shows:
- The Dark Wind (1991) was a movie based on his book.
- Skinwalkers: The Navajo Mysteries (2002) was a PBS miniseries. It adapted Skinwalkers, Coyote Waits, and A Thief of Time.
- Dark Winds (2022) is a TV series on AMC. It is also based on his Leaphorn and Chee book series.
