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The Life and Legacy of James A. Michener: Author, Historian, and Cultural Icon

James A. Michener, an acclaimed author known for his epic novels and deep explorations of culture and history, was born into a challenging childhood in Doylestown, PA. He graduated from Swarthmore College, taught at various esteemed institutions, and served as a U.S. Navy lieutenant during WWII, where he began his writing career. Michener's works, including "Hawaii" and "The Drifters," gained global recognition, translated into 32 languages. His quotes reveal a profound understanding of life, blending dreams with reality. Michener's contributions earned him prestigious awards, including the Medal of Freedom.

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The Life and Legacy of James A. Michener: Author, Historian, and Cultural Icon

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  1. James A. Michener By Justin Goldman

  2. James Michener The Drifters Early Life Contributions WWII Hawaii Quotes Other Works Key Terms Quiz

  3. Early Life • Never knew biological parents • Raised in Doylestown, PA • Poor childhood • In teens, hitchhiked across country

  4. Education • Graduated Swarthmore College in 1929 • Taught English at The Hill School, Pottstown, and The George School, Newtown • Master’s degree at Colorado State Teachers College • Taught at Harvard for one year • Macmillan Publishers – textbook editor

  5. WWII • Start of writing career • Lieutenant in U.S. Navy • Assigned to South Pacific Ocean as a naval historian • His notes and thoughts turned into his first novel • Basis for Broadway and film musical, South Pacific • Pulitzer Prize http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4FuV6Vlcnk

  6. Hawaii • 1949 moved to Honolulu • 10 years working on Hawaii • Translated in 32 languages

  7. Other Works 1980 1974 1971

  8. The Drifters • 1971 • 6 main characters • Joe • Britta • Monica • Cato • Yigal • Gretchen

  9. The Drifters (Cont.) • Torremolinos, Spain • All go their separate ways A long while later

  10. Contributions • James A. Michener Art Museum • Medal of Freedom • Award from President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities (1983)

  11. Contributions (Cont.) • Cultural • Social • Economic • Political • Diplomatic • Technological

  12. Quotes • “There are no insoluble problems. Only time-consuming ones.” • “Scientists dream about doing great things. Engineers do them.” • “The permanent temptation of life is to confuse dreams with reality. The permanent defeat of life comes when dreams are surrendered to reality.”

  13. Key Terms • Doylestown- Where Michener was raised and where the museum is located • Swarthmore College- The college that Michener graduated from • Tales of the South Pacific- Michener’s first novel • The Drifters- One of the novels that takes place during the Vietnam War

  14. Quiz Question 1 As a child, which of the following items did Michener have? A. A father B. A mother C. Roller skates D. Bicycle E. Baseball glove

  15. Quiz Question 2 Where did Michener graduate college? A. Pottstown B. The George School C. The Hill School D. Swarthmore College E. Harvard

  16. Quiz Question 3 What is Michener’s first novel? A. Tales of the South Pacific B. Centennial C. Hawaii D. The Drifters E. The Covenant

  17. Quiz Question 4 How many main characters are in The Drifters? A. 1 B. 2 C. 4 D. 6 E. 8

  18. Quiz Question 5 Where is the James A. Michener Art Museum located? A. Austin B. Newtown C. Doylestown D. Levittown E. Bensalem

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