LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Acclaimed US writer Tony Hillerman, whose 18 detective novels eloquently introduced Native American and particularly Navajo culture to millions of readers, has died, local media reported.
Hillerman, who lived in the state of New Mexico in the rugged American Southwest where many of his best-sellers took place, was 83 years old.
He died Sunday in Albuquerque of pulmonary failure after several months of declining health, the Albuquerque Journal reported.
"He grew up humbly, and that's always who he was," his daughter Anne Hillerman told the Journal.
"Despite all the honors and recognition he got, he always stayed the same guy."
Born on May 27, 1925 in Sacred Heart, Oklahoma, Hillerman spent more than half a century in New Mexico, where he taught journalism from 1966 to 1987 at the University of New Mexico.
In his youth he fought in France during World War II, and was wounded and decorated.
Upon his return to the United States he took up journalism, notably at United Press International, and then began a series of very successful Navajo novels.
In 1970 he published his first novel in the series, "The Blessing Way," featuring his Navajo protagonist Joe Leaphorn, an ageing tribal police officer whose investigations often led him to a Navajo reservation were he encountered strong beliefs in an elaborate spirit world.
Leaphorn also appeared in "Dance Hall of the Dead" (1973) and "Listening Woman" (1978).
He also wrote about Navajo crimefighter Jim Chee, who appeared in "The People of Darkness" (1980), "The Dark Wind" (1982) and "The Ghostway" (1985).
In most of his books the beautiful yet unforgiving landscape of the Southwest often took center stage.
"The landscape out there just always blew him away. It's just an incredibly vast and gorgeous, gorgeous country," Anne Hillerman said of the settings for her father's books.
Despite sales into the millions, he remained true to his roots.
"He grew up basically as a country boy, and that's always who he was," she told the Journal.
"I think that's one reason why he really enjoyed and found so much inspiration in writing about the Navajo people."
Hillerman is survived by his wife Marie, and six children.
Copyright © 2009 AFP. All rights reserved. More »
