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Harold Verne Keith

ハロルド・ヴァーン・キース

Harold Verne Keith

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1903-04-08 （Lambert, Oklahoma Territory）
Died
1998-02-24 （Norman, Oklahoma） age 94
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Residence History
Oklahoma (lifelong) → Lambert (birthplace) → Norman (later life, death)

Career

Occupations
Writer, Sports publicist, Editor, Teacher
Active Years
1917-1998

Education

Northwestern State Teachers College (later Northwestern Oklahoma State University)
General studies / History-related
Country: United States
Exact attendance years not specified
University of Oklahoma
Department of History
Degree: Bachelor of Arts (History)
Period: 1920年代 - 1929年
Year of Graduation: 1929
Country: United States
Served as sports editor for the student newspaper during studies
University of Oklahoma
Department of History
Degree: Master of Arts (History)
Period: 1930年代 - 1938年
Year of Graduation: 1938
Country: United States
Master's thesis based on interviews with local Civil War veterans

Awards

Newbery Medal
1958
Work: Rifles for Watie
Organization: American Library Association
Result: 受賞
Lewis Carroll Shelf Award
1964
Work: Rifles for Watie
Organization: LibraryThing (award listing)
Result: 受賞
Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame Induction
1987
Organization: Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame
Result: 殿堂入り

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Rifles for Watie

1957 Historical novel

A historical novel set during the American Civil War, based on interviews Keith conducted for his master's thesis. It follows a young protagonist's coming of age amid the realities of war.

American Civil WarComing of ageRegional history (Oklahoma)
Adaptations
  • [Audiobook (cassette)] Rifles for Watie (recorded) (1999)

Will Rogers, a Boy's Life

1937 Biographical / Children's

A portrayal of Will Rogers' boyhood.

BiographyMidwestern American figures

Chico and Dan

1998 Children's literature

A late-career children's book published in 1998; the author died shortly before its publication.

FriendshipComing of age

Bibliography

  • 1917: Short story (Lone Scout)
  • 1937: Will Rogers, a Boy's Life
  • 1941: Sports and Games
  • 1948: Oklahoma Kickoff
  • 1951: A Pair of Captains
  • 1957: Rifles for Watie
  • 1964: Baptism of Fire
  • 1965: Komantcia
  • 1971: Brief Garland
  • 1971: The Runt of Rogers School
  • 1972: Go, Red, go!
  • 1976: Sports and Games (rev. ed.)
  • 1976: Susy's Scoundrel
  • 1977: The Obstinate Land: Cherokee Strip Run of 1893
  • 1978: Oklahoma Kickoff (reprint)
  • 1984: Forty-Seven Straight: The Wilkinson Era at Oklahoma
  • 1992: The Sound of Strings: Sequel to Komantcia
  • 1998: Chico and Dan

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Realistic, historically grounded narrativeStrong regional (Oklahoma) focusAccessible voice for children and young adults
Recurring Motifs
FrontierYouth coming of ageSports and community

Health

  • Congestive heart failure
    晩年
    Suffered from congestive heart failure in later life and died in 1998; he died shortly before publication of his final book.

Legacy

A children's author best known for works set in Oklahoma. He won the 1958 Newbery Medal for Rifles for Watie and contributed to the state's cultural and sports history. His papers are held by the University of Oklahoma.

Museums

  • Norman Public Library Central (display) Norman, Oklahoma, United States Opened in 2015

Archives

  • University of Oklahoma Western History Collection (Harold Keith Collection)

In Popular Culture

  • His 1958 Newbery Medal has been displayed in the children's section of Norman Public Library

Trivia

  • Published his first short story at age 14.
  • Served as the University of Oklahoma's first sports publicist from 1930 to 1969.
  • Won the 1958 Newbery Medal for Rifles for Watie.
  • Inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in 1987.