queen the story of an american family alex haley

He went back to college at Alcorn State University and earned a degree in agriculture. Inspired by his father’s stories about their family’s lineage, he began to write stories while serving in the military.Īfter twenty long years of service, he left the military in 1959 to pursue writing full time.Īfter retiring from the Coast Guard, Haley returned home to live with his family in Tennessee. When he was not in action, he said he endured boredom, but it was that boredom that motivated him to write. His ship set sail for the Pacific Ocean to rescue hundreds of soldiers during World War II. The school is still in operation and was renamed Alex Haley High school in 1976.Īfter high school, he joined the Coast Guard and served during World War II (1939-45). Haley attended the Elizabeth Howell High School in Henning, Tennessee. Haley was very proud of his father’s struggle against racism in America. His father, Simon Haley was a college dean and his mother was a teacher. Alex Haley was the eldest of three sons born to Simon Haley and Bertha George Haley. He spent his early years in Tennessee and began working as a journalist at an early age. HIS FAMILY & EARLY LIFEĪlex Haley was born in Ithaca, New York on August 11, 1921. He received many awards for his writing skills during his stint in the U.S Coast Guard including four honorary doctorate degrees from colleges across America. He later rose through the ranks and in 1952 became a petty officer.

Haley started his professional career in the United States Coast Guard as a mess attendant during World War II. Roots is perhaps one of the most notable works in American literature. Harold Courlander 1978Īs an African American writer, Haley was celebrated for the brutally honest writings about slavery and made the world see it through his eyes.

Queen the story of an american family alex haley