Robert Lewis Taylor

Franklin Library Robert Lewis Taylor books

The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters - Library of Pulitzer Prize Classics - 1979

Author Robert Lewis Taylor

Robert Lewis Taylor, born on September 24, 1912, in Carbondale, Illinois, was a distinguished American author and journalist celebrated for his insightful portrayals of ordinary people and their extraordinary journeys through life. His works, marked by wit, empathy, and a keen eye for detail, captured the essence of the American experience in the 20th century. Raised in Nashville, Tennessee, Taylor developed an early passion for writing and storytelling. He attended Vanderbilt University, where he honed his craft as a writer and editor for the student newspaper. After graduating, he embarked on a career in journalism, working for several newspapers before eventually joining the staff of the Saturday Evening Post. It was at the Saturday Evening Post that Taylor found his true calling as a writer. Over the course of his career, he penned numerous articles and essays that showcased his unique blend of humor, warmth, and insight. However, it was his work as a novelist that earned him the greatest acclaim.

In 1959, Taylor published his most famous work, The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters. This sprawling novel, set against the backdrop of the 1849 Gold Rush, follows the adventures of a young boy and his father as they journey westward in search of fortune and redemption. The novel won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1960, cementing Taylor's reputation as a master storyteller. In addition to The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters, Taylor wrote several other novels, including A Journey to Matecumbe (1961) and Adrift in a Boneyard (1974), as well as numerous short stories and essays. His writing, characterized by its humanity, humor, and insight into the human condition, resonated with readers across generations.

Throughout his career, Taylor remained dedicated to his craft, eschewing literary trends and fads in favor of honest, heartfelt storytelling. He was widely admired for his ability to capture the quirks and foibles of ordinary people, imbuing his characters with depth and complexity. Robert Lewis Taylor passed away on September 30, 1998, but his legacy lives on in his timeless works, which continue to entertain, inspire, and enlighten readers around the world. Through his writing, Taylor left behind a vivid portrait of America and its people, ensuring his place among the great chroniclers of American life.