Thomas King

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Thomas King, a celebrated figure in American Indian literature, has a rich tapestry of experiences that shape his work. Born to a Cherokee father and a Greek American mother, his life journey spans continents and professions. His literary contributions address cultural clashes, blending wit and resourcefulness as key themes.

Early Life and Education

Thomas King entered the world in a family mixed with Cherokee and Greek American heritage. His father, Robert Elvin King, hailed from Oklahoma, while his mother, Katheryn Konsonlas King, brought her Greek roots into the family. After his father's departure when Thomas was just five, his mother raised him and his brother Christopher in Roseville, California. King graduated from Roseville High School and took on various jobs, including stints as an ambulance driver and a gambling croupier. His pursuit of higher education began at Sacramento State College in 1961, after which he attended Sierra Junior College until 1964. This educational phase was interspersed with travels to Australia and New Zealand, where he worked as a photojournalist.

Career Beginnings and Academic Pursuits

In 1967, Thomas King returned to the United States, finding employment as a draftsman at Boeing Aircraft in Seattle. However, academia soon called him back, and he took his studies to California State College, Chico, earning a B.A. in English by 1970. That same year, he married Kristine Adams, and they welcomed their son, Christian, in 1971. King's career in academia launched with a role at the University of Utah as a counselor for American Indian students. His leadership skills soon elevated him to director of the nascent Native Studies Department. Concurrently, he pursued an M.A. in English from his alma mater in Chico.

Advancements in Academia and Personal Life Changes

In 1973, King transitioned to a position at Humboldt State University in Arcata, California, where he served as an associate dean for student services. By 1977, he was back at the University of Utah, coordinating a project on the History of the Indians of the Americas. Two years later, King's career took him to Canada as the chair of the Native Studies Department, a role he held for a decade. During this period, his marriage came to an end in 1981. The 1980s also saw King expand his family with Helen Hoy, with whom he had two children: Benjamin Hoy, born in 1985, and Elizabeth King, born in 1988. In 1986, he achieved a significant academic milestone by earning a doctorate in English and American studies from the University of Utah, with a dissertation entitled "Inventing the Indian: White Images, Native Oral Traditions, and Contemporary Native Writers."

Literary Contributions and Recognition

Thomas King ventured into publishing in 1987, with his short stories finding homes in various magazines and anthologies. By 1989, his career took another international turn as he accepted an associate professorship in American and Native studies at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. A year later, he published his debut novel, Medicine River, which is set on a Blackfoot reservation in Alberta, Canada. That same year, he edited All My Relations: An Anthology of Contemporary Canadian Native Fiction. In 1992, King released his first children's book, A Coyote Columbus Story, which was honored with the Canadian Governor-General’s Award.

Media Work and Continued Success

During the academic year of 1993-1994, King took a hiatus from university work to contribute as a story editor for the Canadian Broadcasting Company. There, he adapted his novel Medicine River into a teleplay. The year 1993 also saw the publication of his highly acclaimed satirical novel, Green Grass, Running Water , along with a collection of...

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short stories titledOne Good Story, That One. By 1995, King returned to Canada, establishing himself at the University of Guelph in Ontario, where he continued his academic career alongside his partner and children.

Thomas King's Legacy

Thomas King is renowned for his pivotal contributions to American Indian literature, often exploring the themes of cultural collision and resilience. Living and teaching in Canada has sometimes resulted in him being labeled as a Canadian Native writer, an amusing irony given his American birth and Cherokee heritage. His narratives often highlight the tension between traditional American Indian culture and the encroachment of Western values, using characters like Coyote, the trickster, to illustrate triumph through cleverness and ingenuity. Through his diverse body of work, King remains a vital voice in shedding light on the complexities and richness of Native American experiences.

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