Pulitzer Prize-winning author N. Scott Momaday, known for his important debut novel “House Made of Dawn” which is credited with instigating the Native American literature movement, has died at the age of 89. The poet and playwright died on Wednesday at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, publisher HarperCollins announced.

The publisher posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he was “immensely proud of his Kiowa heritage, he devoted much of his life to celebrating and preserving Native American culture.”

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“Scott was an extraordinary person and an extraordinary poet and writer. He was a singular voice in American literature, and it was an honor and a privilege to work with him,” Momaday’s editor, Jennifer Civiletto, said in a statement. “His Kiowa heritage was deeply meaningful to him and he devoted much of his life to celebrating and preserving Native American culture, especially the oral tradition.”

What is N. Scott Momaday known for?

Momaday was born on February 27, 1934, in Lawton, Oklahoma. He is particularly celebrated for his contributions to Native American literature and is known for his vivid portrayal of the American Southwest and the complexity of Native American culture.

Having earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of New Mexico and later a Ph.D. in English from Stanford University, Momaday went on to write "House Made of Dawn," which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1969. This book is significant for its pioneering role in the Native American Renaissance in literature.

His work often explores themes of identity, culture, and the relationship between the natural world and humanity. He incorporated Kiowa folklore and history in his work, influencing many contemporary indigenous writers. Beyond writing, Momaday has been a professor and lecturer at various institutions and has contributed to the preservation and understanding of Native American culture and history.

N. Scott Momaday top books:

Some of N. Scott Momaday’s top books include:

• “House Made of Dawn” (1968). This novel, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, is often credited with leading the way for the breakthrough of Native American literature into the mainstream. It tells the story of a young Native American named Abel and his struggles with identity and cultural assimilation.
• “The Way to Rainy Mountain” (1969). This is a unique blend of personal, historical, and mythological narratives. It revolves around the Kiowa oral history and Momaday’s personal journey to visit Rainy Mountain in Oklahoma, where his Kiowa ancestors had settled.
• “The Ancient Child” (1989). This novel blends Native American mythology with a modern story. It tells of a San Francisco artist’s transformation into a bear and a young Kiowa woman’s struggle with her heritage.
• “In the Presence of the Sun: Stories and Poems, 1961–1991” (1992) This collection showcases Momaday’s prowess as both a storyteller and a poet, featuring a wide range of his work over three decades.
• “The Man Made of Words: Essays, Stories, Passages” (1997). This is a collection of essays and stories that explore Native American culture and Momaday’s own experiences and views on literature, landscape, and heritage.

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These books are a testament to Momaday’s skill in exploring complex themes of identity, tradition, and connection to the land, all while playing with the boundaries of language. His impact on literature and cultural preservation has made him a key figure in American letters and Indigenous studies.

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