Author: Newton Booth Tarkington (29 Jul 1869 – 19 May 1946)

Considered by some to be the dean of Indiana Writers, his writings span the first half of the 20th Century. His works include 40 books and 23 plays. Two of his novels, “The Magnificent Ambersons” (1918) and “Alice Adams” (1921) won Pulitzer Prizes, one of only four writers to win twice for fiction, and many of his plays met with great commercial success. The Library of America included his novel “The Magnificent Ambersons” in its 100 greatest novels of the 20th Century.

Born in Indianapolis, Booth, as he was known by, studied at Purdue University, then later Princeton University; but never graduated from either institution. His works frequently offered satirical views of the Midwest, politics and romance, although many Hoosiers thought his works made fun of Indiana. Along with writing, he served in the Indiana House of Representatives (1902-1903) and advocated for local theater.

Newton Booth Tarkington’s (1869-1946) portrait. Photo courtesy Indiana Historical Bureau.
The Tarkington-Jameson Family Mausoleum was built in 1909, near his friend President Benjamin Harrison’s gravesite. Booth and many of his family are interred in the mausoleum located in Section 13, Lot 56; GPS (39.8188341, -86.1757734).
Cover of the 1989 reprint of the 1918 Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Booth Tarkington.