Susan Sheehan, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author known for her in-depth portraits of individuals facing hardship, died Tuesday at her home in Washington. She was 88 years old.
A Career Focused on Marginalized Lives
Ms. Sheehan’s work frequently appeared in The New Yorker before being published as books. Her writing meticulously documented the lives of people struggling on the margins of society.
Pulitzer Prize Recognition
Sheehan was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction in 1983 for her book, “Is There No Place on Earth for Me?” The book details the experiences of a woman living with schizophrenia as she navigated life between her parents’ home, supervised housing, and a mental hospital.
Her daughters, Maria Sheehan and Catherine Sheehan Bruno, confirmed her death.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Susan Sheehan known for?
Susan Sheehan was known as a Pulitzer Prize-winning nonfiction writer who created meticulously built-up portraits of individuals trying to endure on the margins of society.
What book won Susan Sheehan a Pulitzer Prize?
“Is There No Place on Earth for Me?” won Susan Sheehan the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction in 1983.
Where did Susan Sheehan’s work often appear before being published as books?
Ms. Sheehan’s work often appeared in The New Yorker before being published as books.
What impact will the loss of such a dedicated chronicler of marginalized lives have on the field of journalism?
