Jon Franklin (Inducted 2002)

Jon Franklin is a well-known pioneer in literary nonfiction. His innovative work in the use of literary techniques in the nonfiction short story, novel, and explanatory essay won him the first Pulitzer prizes ever awarded in the categories of feature writing (1979) and explanatory journalism (1985). He is also one of a very few writers to have headed both a journalism program (at Oregon State University) and a creative writing program (at the University of Oregon).

He is presently the Philip Merrill Professor of Journalism at the University of Maryland's Philip Merrill School of Journalism.

His books include: The Molecules of The Mind, Atheneum, (1987); Writing for Story, Atheneum, (1986); Guinea Pig Doctors, (With J. Sutherland) Morrow, (1984); Not Quite a Miracle, (w/ Alan Doelp), Doubleday, (1983); Shocktrauma, (w/ Alan Doelp), St. Martin's Press, (1980).

In recent years, Franklin’s creative energies have come to include the internet. He is the founder and moderator of WriterL, a subscription-only listserver for writers.

He has taught experimental writing courses over the net and once ran an experimental net publishing company.

Born in Enid, Oklahoma, in January 1942, he grew to adulthood traveling around the Southwest. He spent eight years (59-67) as a journalist in the U.S. Navy, serving aboard several aircraft carriers in the Far East and, finally, as a staff writer for All Hands Magazine.

He graduated with high honors from the University of Maryland in 1970 and worked as a science and feature writer at the Baltimore Evening Sun from 1970 to 1986. He was a professor at the University of Maryland College of Journalism from 1986 to 1989, and was then professor and chairman of the Department of Journalism at Oregon State University from 1989 to 1991. He then served some years at the University of Oregon journalism school before taking over as the director of creative writing in 1996. Before returning to the University of Maryland he served three years with the Raleigh News and Observer.