James Michener

JAMES A. MICHENER (Author, Tales of the South Pacific; 1907‑1997) graduated from Swarthmore College and continued his studies at many institutions at home and abroad. His first book, Tales of the South Pacific, was published when he was 40. Over the course of the next 45 years, Mr. Michener would write such monumental best-sellers as Sayonara, The Bridges of Toko-Ri,Hawaii, The Source, Iberia, The Covenant, Centennial, Chesapeake, Space, Texas, Alaska, Poland, Caribbean and Tales of the Pacific, which was the basis for the musical South Pacific, written by Rodgers & Hammerstein with Joshua Logan. Decorated with America's highest civilian award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Mr. Michener served on the Advisory Council to NASA, the Postal Committee and the operating committee for the U.S. radio network broadcasting to the former U.S.S.R. and its satellites. He held honorary doctorates in five fields from 30 leading universities and received an award from the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities for his continuing commitment to the arts in America.