A record-breaking 130 million viewers tuned in to the 1977 television miniseries adaptation of Roots: The Saga of an American Family, a work that fundamentally altered public engagement with genealogy in the United States. This production stemmed from years of research into the author's own ancestral origins, bridging the gap between historical documentation and popular literary narrative.
Military Service and Journalism
Alex Haley began his professional life on May 24, 1939, by enlisting in the United States Coast Guard. During a 20-year career that lasted until 1959, he transitioned from a mess attendant to a chief petty officer. His literary potential was recognized by the military, which created the specialized rating of chief journalist for him. While stationed in the Pacific theater, he refined his storytelling craft by composing letters for fellow sailors.
Interviewing for Playboy
Following his retirement from military service, Haley moved into journalism and became a contributor to Playboy. He conducted the magazine's first interview, featuring jazz musician Miles Davis. Throughout the 1960s, he secured long-form discussions with diverse figures, including Martin Luther King Jr., Muhammad Ali, and American Nazi Party leader George Lincoln Rockwell. His journalistic approach involved extensive preparation and persistence, often navigating volatile settings to capture candid narratives.
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Haley's first major publication, The Autobiography of Malcolm X, appeared in 1965. This work emerged from more than 50 interviews conducted between 1963 and the subject's assassination in 1965. The book chronicled the evolution of Malcolm X from a street criminal to a national spokesperson for the Nation of Islam. Haley used a specific line of questioning about Malcolm X's mother to move past the subject's reluctance and access personal historical details.
Legacy and Final Works
Beyond his most prominent title, Haley worked on a family history novel titled Queen: The Story of an American Family, which was completed by screenwriter David Stevens after Haley’s death in 1992. His contributions to history and literature earned him several accolades, including the 1977 Pulitzer Prize Special Citations and Awards, the Spingarn Medal, and the Lillian Smith Book Award. He held citizenship in both the United States and Mali.
Fast facts
- Born: 1921, Ithaca
- Died: 1992, Seattle
- Military Rank: Chief petty officer
- Education: Alcorn State University, Elizabeth City State University
- Notable Work: Roots: The Saga of an American Family
- Pulitzer Prize: Special Citations and Awards (1977)
- Burial Site: Alex Haley House and Museum
Questions readers ask
What was Haley's initial professional career?
He served in the United States Coast Guard for 20 years, retiring as a chief petty officer.
Did Haley write The Autobiography of Malcolm X alone?
No, he ghostwrote the book based on extensive interviews with Malcolm X conducted over several years.
Was Queen: The Story of an American Family finished before he died?
No, he requested screenwriter David Stevens to complete the manuscript, which was published posthumously.
Achievements
- Pulitzer Prize Special Citations and Awards — 1977
- Educated at Alcorn State University
- Worked as journalist, writer and historian