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A century after his birth, James A. Michener’s influence is felt through the dozens of books he wrote and the universities and museums he supported.By Edward LevensonTHE INTELLIGENCER .The late author James A. Michener once wrote, “I have no desire to have (my) name affixed to anything.”But 100 years after the birth of the man who brought Hawaii, Texas, Poland and the Caribbean to millions of readers, his name is a permanent fixture at museums and colleges throughout the United States.From tfie James A. Michener Art Museum in Ioylestown to the Honolulu Academy of Arts in Hawaii, exhibits and events during 2007 will celebrate the centennial of the man Mldmomthan.75 million copies, mspireda landmat^’Broodwayniusi-cal and several successful feature movies and television miniseries.Not bad for a fadierless bdy who was so poor growing up in Doylestown that he ate pork fet and dandelion greens for supper and occasionally stayed at the Bucks County almshouse.Even Michener’s “official” birth date —Febl 3,1907 —is uncertain because he never: knew who his parents were and never had a birth certificate. He was raised by Michener, a widow who claimed she took him in as a foundling but was believed by . many to be his birth mother.James Michener, who died in 1997 at age 90, lived modestly and gave away an estimated $117 million, almost all during hi^UfefS^V time. Major beneficiaries mcluded ^ Midi-eher Museum, $8.5 million; SwanhmomT:/ College, Micheneris alma mater, $13.7mil-: lion; and the University of Texas, where ' Michener spent his find years and helped found a writer’s center, $44 million. :While proud of his philanthropy, Michener hoped his name would live on through his primarily fictional works, which cover 50of the South Pacific” in 1947 to “A Century of Sonnets” in 1997. ..In his 1992 memoir, “The World Is My ? Home,” Michener wrote, “Mostly 1 would See MICHENER, Page A 2
Newspaper Details
Doylestown Intelligencer
Doylestown, Pennsylvania, US
Sun, Jan 28, 2007
Page 65
Full Page
Clipped by
Beth Z.
USA 27 Sep 2024
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