Welch, James, 1945-

James Welch was a poet, novelist, and teacher. Born on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Browning, Montana, with Blackfeet and Gros Ventres ancestry, Welch drew upon the histories and experiences of Native Americans in his literary work. His publications include collections of poetry, novels, and nonfiction. Works include Riding the Earthboy 40 (1971), Fools Crow (1986), The Heartsong of Charging Elk (2000), and Killing Custer: The Battle of the Little Bighorn and the Fate of the Plains Indians (1994).

Summary information on James Welch is available in the standard print and online biographical resources.

The following chronology provides dates for key events and

publications:

1940 born in Browning, Montana

1954-1958 lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota

1958 graduates from Washburn High School, Minneapolis, Minnesota

1959 attends University of Minnesota

1961-1962 attends Northern Montana College, Havre, Montana

1962-1968 attends University of Montana, Missoula

1968 marries Lois Monk

1969 awarded National Endowment for the Arts grant

1971 publication of Riding the Earthboy 40

1972-1973 travels in Greece

1974 publication of Winter in the Blood

1977 teaches at University of Washington

1979 publication of The Death of Jim Loney

1981 appointment at University of Washington

1986 publication of Fools Crow

1986 publication of The Reak West Marginal Way: A Poet's Autobiography

by Richard Hugo (ed.)

1990 publication of The Indian Lawyer

1994 publication of Killing Custer

2000 publication of The Heartsong of Charging Elk

2003 August 4, dies in Missoula, Montana

From the guide to the James Welch papers, 1889-2006, 1960-2003, (Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library)