James A. Michener

Date of Birth: February 3, 1907

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: October 16, 1997

Biography

James A. Michener was an American author renowned for his lengthy and richly detailed novels, many of which are set in specific geographic locations and span extensive periods. Born as an orphan, Michener was adopted by Mabel Michener, a widow who raised him in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. He went on to graduate from Swarthmore College in 1929 and later received a Master of Arts from the University of Northern Colorado. Michener served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, where he was stationed in the South Pacific, an experience that inspired his first major work, “Tales of the South Pacific,” which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1948. Over his prolific career, Michener wrote more than 40 books, including “Hawaii,” “The Source,” “Texas,” and “Alaska,” which are lauded for their historical depth and narrative sweep. Michener also had a keen interest in politics and education, which led him to run unsuccessfully for Congress and to establish scholarships and educational foundations.

5 Interesting Facts about James A. Michener

1. Michener’s first book, “Tales of the South Pacific,” was adapted into the famous Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “South Pacific.”

2. He was known for his meticulous research, often spending years gathering material before writing his novels.

3. Michener was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977.

4. He served as a cultural ambassador for the United States, helping to promote American literature and culture abroad.

5. Despite his success, Michener was known for his philanthropy, having donated substantial portions of his wealth to educational institutions and libraries.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from James A. Michener

1. “I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of words as they tangle with human emotions.”

2. “Character consists of what you do on the third and fourth tries.”

3. “Scientists dream about doing great things. Engineers do them.”

4. “An age is called Dark not because the light fails to shine, but because people refuse to see it.”

5. “The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him, he is always doing both.”