Oklahoma honors two-time Pulitzer winner Marquis James with Literary Landmarks dedication

Marquis James (1891-1955) won two Pulitzer Prizes for biography: in 1930 for The Raven: A Biography of Sam Houston and in 1938 for The Life of Andrew Jackson, 2 volumes.

The Enid Public Library will be designated as a national Literary Landmark in honor of James, whose formative years were in Enid. His papers, manuscripts, and correspondence are in the Library of Congress.

Literary Landmarks honor deceased literary figures, authors, or their works.

Michael Wallis, award-winning author, historian and biographer of the American West, will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Paul Vickery, Ph.D, History Professor at Oral Roberts University will portray Marquis James. Special guests will include Marquis James’ grandchildren, Karen Hoover and Chris Norwood; grandniece Christine Shockey Katcher; grandnephew Peter Shockey; and great-grandnieces Lisa Johnson and Merida Hines-Tyler.

Partners: Family of Mr. & Mrs. J. Lee Cromwell and Miss Mary Cromwell, United for Libraries, Enid Public Library, Friends of Libraries in Oklahoma, Friends of Enid Public Library, Oklahoma Humanities, Friends of Oklahoma Center for the Book, Enid Arts, Enid Chamber of Commerce, Visit Enid, Oklahoma Historical Society, Enid High School, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Family of Marquis James, Oklahoma Library Association, Gary & Sheila Brown, and Oklahoma State University Library.