Dale L. Walker
Encyclopedia
Dale L. Walker an award-winning American
writer, was born in Decatur, Illinois
, but has spent most of his life in El Paso, Texas
. The author of twenty-three books, he has also served as a television reporter, editor, news and information officer, university press director, freelance writer, biographer, and historian. He is past president of Western Writers of America
(WWA).
, Walker was inspired by the writings of Jack London
, and has written extensively about the author. Walker began his writing career by working for his high school newspaper, and found various journalistic jobs throughout his youth. He enlisted in the navy at 18 and upon discharge visited his father, a career army sergeant, at Fort Bliss, Texas, and subsequently enrolled at the University of Texas at El Paso
where he earned his degree in journalism within three years. By then he had married Alice McCord, fathered the first of five children, and earned a number of freelance publishing credits.
. He wrote frequently for newspapers and magazines. His work, close to 2,000 published pieces, has appeared in 130 periodicals.
His first big break came in 1967 when his mentor, the late Richard O'Connor
, invited him to collaborate on a biography of radical journalist John Reed. Harcourt, Brace and World published the work as The Lost Revolutionary, which was reviewed by The New York Times. Walker waited 36 years for his second New York Times review, this one for his gold rush book, Eldorado, in 2003.
Walker has also written pre-Civil War history as well as western and military history. His book, Mary Edwards Walker
: Above and Beyond (2005) is a biography of the Civil War
, his The Boys of '98: Theodore Roosevelt
and the Rough Riders
(1998) has received high praise as has his Bear Flag Rising: The Conquest of California
(1999), which tells of events that led to the annexation of California in 1846 when the territory was a Mexican province, and Pacific Destiny
: The Three-Century Journey to the Oregon
Country (2000), which won a Spur Award from Western Writers of America, as have three additional Walker works.
The historian-biographer states that his best writings have been biographies such as Januarius MacGahan The Life and Campaigns of an American War Correspondent (1988), which he regards as his best book.
Walker is a member of the Texas Institute of Letters
and the Author's Guild as well as well as Western Writers of America, Inc.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
writer, was born in Decatur, Illinois
Decatur, Illinois
Decatur is the largest city and the county seat of Macon County in the U.S. state of Illinois. The city, sometimes called "the Soybean Capital of the World", was founded in 1823 and is located along the Sangamon River and Lake Decatur in Central Illinois. In 2000 the city population was 81,500,...
, but has spent most of his life in El Paso, Texas
El Paso, Texas
El Paso, is a city in and the county seat of El Paso County, Texas, United States, and lies in far West Texas. In the 2010 census, the city had a population of 649,121. It is the sixth largest city in Texas and the 19th largest city in the United States...
. The author of twenty-three books, he has also served as a television reporter, editor, news and information officer, university press director, freelance writer, biographer, and historian. He is past president of Western Writers of America
Western Writers of America
Western Writers of America, founded 1953, promotes literature, both fiction and non-fiction, pertaining to the American West. Although its founders wrote traditional western fiction, the more than five hundred current members also include historians and other non-fiction writers as well as authors...
(WWA).
Biography
As a boy growing up in the farm town of Decatur, IllinoisDecatur, Illinois
Decatur is the largest city and the county seat of Macon County in the U.S. state of Illinois. The city, sometimes called "the Soybean Capital of the World", was founded in 1823 and is located along the Sangamon River and Lake Decatur in Central Illinois. In 2000 the city population was 81,500,...
, Walker was inspired by the writings of Jack London
Jack London
John Griffith "Jack" London was an American author, journalist, and social activist. He was a pioneer in the then-burgeoning world of commercial magazine fiction and was one of the first fiction writers to obtain worldwide celebrity and a large fortune from his fiction alone...
, and has written extensively about the author. Walker began his writing career by working for his high school newspaper, and found various journalistic jobs throughout his youth. He enlisted in the navy at 18 and upon discharge visited his father, a career army sergeant, at Fort Bliss, Texas, and subsequently enrolled at the University of Texas at El Paso
University of Texas at El Paso
The University of Texas at El Paso is a four-year state university, and is a component institution of the University of Texas System. Its campus is located on the bank of the Rio Grande in El Paso, Texas. The school was founded in 1914 as The Texas State School of Mines and Metallurgy,...
where he earned his degree in journalism within three years. By then he had married Alice McCord, fathered the first of five children, and earned a number of freelance publishing credits.
Writing career
Walker's freelance writing career began in earnest in 1960 while a college student working part-time at a television reporting job in El PasoEl Paso
El Paso, a city in the U.S. state of Texas, on the border with Mexico.El Paso may also refer to:-Geography:Colombia:* El Paso, CesarSpain:*El Paso, Santa Cruz de TenerifeUnited States:...
. He wrote frequently for newspapers and magazines. His work, close to 2,000 published pieces, has appeared in 130 periodicals.
His first big break came in 1967 when his mentor, the late Richard O'Connor
Richard O'Connor
General Sir Richard Nugent O'Connor KT, GCB, DSO & Bar, MC, ADC was a British Army general who commanded the Western Desert Force in the early years of World War II...
, invited him to collaborate on a biography of radical journalist John Reed. Harcourt, Brace and World published the work as The Lost Revolutionary, which was reviewed by The New York Times. Walker waited 36 years for his second New York Times review, this one for his gold rush book, Eldorado, in 2003.
Walker has also written pre-Civil War history as well as western and military history. His book, Mary Edwards Walker
Mary Edwards Walker
Mary Edwards Walker was an American feminist, abolitionist, prohibitionist, alleged spy, prisoner of war and surgeon. She is the only woman ever to receive the Medal of Honor....
: Above and Beyond (2005) is a biography of the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, his The Boys of '98: Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
and the Rough Riders
Rough Riders
The Rough Riders is the name bestowed on the 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry, one of three such regiments raised in 1898 for the Spanish-American War and the only one of the three to see action. The United States Army was weakened and left with little manpower after the American Civil War...
(1998) has received high praise as has his Bear Flag Rising: The Conquest of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
(1999), which tells of events that led to the annexation of California in 1846 when the territory was a Mexican province, and Pacific Destiny
Pacific Destiny
Pacific Destiny is a 1956 British drama film directed by Wolf Rilla and starring Denholm Elliott, Susan Stephen and Michael Horden. In the colonial era, a young British couple win the respect of the inhabitants of a South Pacific island. It was based on the memoirs of Sir Arthur Grimble.-Cast:*...
: The Three-Century Journey to the Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
Country (2000), which won a Spur Award from Western Writers of America, as have three additional Walker works.
The historian-biographer states that his best writings have been biographies such as Januarius MacGahan The Life and Campaigns of an American War Correspondent (1988), which he regards as his best book.
Walker is a member of the Texas Institute of Letters
Texas Institute of Letters
The Texas Institute of Letters is an organization devoted to the promotion of literature and literacy in Texas.Founded in 1936, the TIL offers awards to outstanding books written by Texas authors, or dealing with Texas subjects. The TIL also co-administrates the Dobie Paisano Fellowship, which...
and the Author's Guild as well as well as Western Writers of America, Inc.