MacKinlay Kantor
MacKinlay Kantor was a prominent American author and journalist born on February 4, 1904, in Webster City, Iowa. He grew up immersed in stories about the Civil War, which significantly influenced his later writing. Kantor began his literary career at a young age, with his first poem published when he was seventeen, and he gained experience as a reporter for the Webster City Daily News. His notable works include the historical novel "Long Remember," published in 1934, and "Andersonville," which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1956. Kantor also had a successful career in Hollywood, where he wrote the screenplay for the Academy Award-winning film "The Best Years of Our Lives." In addition to novels, he produced various short stories and nonfiction works. His contributions to literature, particularly historical fiction, reflect his deep engagement with American history. Kantor passed away in Sarasota, Florida, in October 1977, leaving behind a legacy of impactful storytelling.
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Subject Terms
MacKinlay Kantor
Novelist
- Born: February 4, 1904
- Birthplace: Webster City, Iowa
- Died: October 11, 1977
- Place of death: Sarasota, Florida
Biography
Author and journalist MacKinlay Kantor was born on February 4, 1904, in Webster City, Iowa. He grew up in his grandparents’ home, where he became fascinated by the stories his relatives told about the Civil War. When he was seventeen, his first poem was published in the local paper. After high school, Kantor landed a job as a reporter for the Webster City Daily News, where his mother worked as an editor.
After living in Chicago for several years, Kantor returned to Iowa and became a columnist for the Des Moines Tribune. He wrote short stories, some of which were published in popular magazines. An early novel, Long Remember, was published in 1934. This historical novel about the Battle of Gettysburg helped establish Kantor’s literary credentials.
Kantor served in World War II as a gunner in the U.S. Air Force and as a correspondent with the British Royal Air Force. He found work as a screenwriter in Hollywood after the war. He wrote the script for the Academy Award-winning 1946 film The Best Years of Our Lives, which he adapted from his novel Glory for Me, which he had published in the previous year.
Kantor’s 1955 novel Andersonville, about the American Civil War, won the Pulitzer Prize. The story was filmed for television in 1996. His other historical novels include Spirit Lake and Valley Forge, published in 1961 and 1975, respectively. He also published collections of short stories and works of nonfiction.
Kantor died in Sarasota, Florida, in October of 1977.