Wrote influential historical novels and non-fiction books that humanized Native Americans and exposed the harsh realities of their treatment by European colonizers and the US government.
Dee Brown, the renowned American novelist, historian, and librarian, is best known for his seminal work, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, a groundbreaking book that rewrites the narrative of the United States' westward colonization from the perspective of Native Americans. Published in 1970, this magnum opus has been widely acclaimed for its unflinching portrayal of the brutality and injustices faced by indigenous peoples at the hands of European settlers.
Born on Leap Year Day, February 29, 1908, in Alberta, Louisiana, Brown grew up in Ouachita County, Arkansas, amidst the oil boom of the 1920s. His early life was marked by a keen interest in the American West, fostered by his love for reading and his discovery of the three-volume History of the Expedition under the Command of Captains Lewis and Clark in the public library. This sparked a lifelong passion for understanding the complexities of the American frontier.
Brown's literary style was deeply influenced by the works of Sherwood Anderson, John Dos Passos, William Faulkner, and Joseph Conrad, which he devoured during his formative years. These authors' unique voices and perspectives on the human condition would later shape Brown's own writing style, characterized by its lyrical prose and empathetic gaze.
In the 1930s, Brown embarked on two road trips to the American West with his mentor, Dean D. McBrien, and other students from Arkansas State Teachers College. These journeys, undertaken in a Model T Ford, allowed Brown to experience the vast expanse of the American West and its diverse cultures firsthand, further solidifying his commitment to telling the stories of Native Americans.
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, Brown's most famous work, is a meticulously researched and deeply moving account of the United States' treatment of Native Americans from 1830 to 1890. The book's narrative voice, which Brown painstakingly crafted to reflect the perspectives of Native American leaders and communities, offers a searing indictment of the violence, displacement, and marginalization suffered by indigenous peoples at the hands of European colonizers.
Since its publication, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee has become a classic of American literature, selling over 5 million copies worldwide and earning Brown numerous awards and accolades, including the Western Heritage Award and the Oklahoma Book Award. The book's influence extends beyond the literary world, having inspired a new generation of historians, scholars, and activists to reexamine the narrative of American history and advocate for Native American rights.
Through his work, Brown challenged the dominant narratives of American history, arguing that the country's westward expansion was built on a foundation of violence, dispossession, and cultural erasure. He believed that by confronting the darker aspects of American history, the nation could begin to reconcile with its past and forge a more just and equitable future for all its citizens, including Native Americans.
Throughout his life, Dee Brown remained committed to uncovering the hidden histories of Native Americans, and his work continues to inspire new generations of scholars, writers, and activists to confront the complexities of American history.
90 Years Old
Renowned historian and author of bestselling books on World War II and American history, including biographies of Dwight D. Eisenhower and Richard Nixon. His writing style made history accessible to a broad audience.
92 Years Old
Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian who brought American history to life through engaging narratives and meticulous research, making the past accessible and fascinating to a broad audience.
83 Years Old
A Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and author, renowned for bringing American presidents and their wives to life through meticulously researched and engagingly written biographies.
82 Years Old
A Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and author, renowned for his insightful and engaging biographies of America's founding fathers, particularly George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.
89 Years Old
Renowned historian and Pulitzer Prize winner, specializing in the American Civil War and its era, producing seminal works that shape our understanding of this pivotal period.
Born in 1916
Noted for his comprehensive, three-volume narrative history of the American Civil War, which set a new standard for historical storytelling. His writing style blended historical accuracy with engaging, novelistic flair.
90 Years Old
Renowned historian and author, known for his meticulously researched and engagingly written books on American and European history, particularly his Pulitzer Prize-winning "Washington's Crossing".
