Author
James Alan McPherson
Birth Date
September 16, 1943
(72 Years)
Death Date
July 27, 2016
Associated Country
United States
James Alan McPherson (1943–2016) was an American short story writer and essayist known for his thoughtful exploration of race, identity, and community in the United States. He was born in Savannah, Georgia and grew up in a working-class African American family. Before fully committing to writing, he studied law at Harvard Law School, though he ultimately chose a literary career.
McPherson gained national recognition with his short story collection Hue and Cry (1968), and later achieved major acclaim with Elbow Room (1977), which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1978. His work is known for its quiet, reflective style and its focus on everyday people navigating complex social and racial realities, often emphasizing empathy and human connection over conflict.
In addition to writing, McPherson was a dedicated teacher, spending many years at the University of Iowa, where he was one of the first African American faculty members in the prestigious Iowa Writers' Workshop. He is remembered as an important voice in American literature, admired for his nuanced storytelling and commitment to understanding diverse perspectives.
McPherson gained national recognition with his short story collection Hue and Cry (1968), and later achieved major acclaim with Elbow Room (1977), which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1978. His work is known for its quiet, reflective style and its focus on everyday people navigating complex social and racial realities, often emphasizing empathy and human connection over conflict.
In addition to writing, McPherson was a dedicated teacher, spending many years at the University of Iowa, where he was one of the first African American faculty members in the prestigious Iowa Writers' Workshop. He is remembered as an important voice in American literature, admired for his nuanced storytelling and commitment to understanding diverse perspectives.
Books
Born in segregated 1940s Georgia, McPherson graduated from Harvard Law School only to give up law and become a writer. In 1978, he became the first Black author to win the Pulitzer Prize for fiction....
Hue and Cry 2019
Hue and Cry is the remarkably mature and agile debut story collection from James Alan McPherson, one of America’s most venerated and most original writers. McPherson’s characters -- gritty, authentic,...
Crabcakes 1999
With the same grace and lyrical precision that distinguish his vibrant short stories, James McPherson surveys the emotional upheaval of his last twenty-one years. From Baltimore, Maryland, to...
Elbow Room 1986
A beautiful collection of short stories that explores blacks and whites today, *Elbow Room* is alive with warmth and humor. Bold and very real, these twelve stories examine a world we all know but...