Alex Haley

Alexander Palmer Haley (August 11, 1921 - February 10, 1992) was an African American writer (though he was also proud of his Irish and Cherokee ancestry). He is best known for his book '.

Plagiarism Controversy

Alex Haley researched Roots for 12 years; the Roots TV series adaptation aired in 1977. The same year, Haley won a Pulitzer Prize for the book and the Spingarn Medal as well. Haley's fame was marred by plagiarism charges, and after a trial, he was permitted to settle out-of-court for $650,000, having admitted that he copied large passages of Roots from The African by Harold Courlander. In 1988 Margaret Walker also sued him, claiming Roots violated the copyright for her novel Jubilee. The case was dismissed by the court. Reportedly he paid her a civil judgement of $650,000 for plagiarism.

Related Topics:
''Roots'' TV series - 1977 - Pulitzer Prize - Spingarn Medal - Plagiarism - Harold Courlander - 1988 - Margaret Walker - Jubilee

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Haley's work is controversial for other reasons. He has been accused of fictionalising true stories in both his book Roots and The Autobiography Of Malcolm X. X's family and members of The Nation of Islam accused Haley of changing selected parts of his story.

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In 1999, the U.S. Coast Guard honored Haley by naming the cutter Alex Haley after him.

Related Topics:
1999 - Cutter - Alex Haley

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