Stephen Harrigan is an acclaimed author and screenwriter known for his historical fiction and nonfiction works. Born in Oklahoma City in 1948, he has spent most of his life in Texas, where his writing often explores the state's rich history and landscapes. His novel "The Gates of the Alamo" became a New York Times bestseller and Notable Book, earning accolades such as the TCU Texas Book Award and the Spur Award for Best Novel of the West. Another celebrated work, "Remember Ben Clayton," received widespread praise and won multiple awards, including the Jesse H. Jones Award and the James Fenimore Cooper Prize. His latest novel, "A Friend of Mr. Lincoln," delves into Abraham Lincoln's early career and has been hailed as "historical fiction at its very best" by Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Joseph J. Ellis.
Harrigan's career spans journalism, literature, and screenwriting. A longtime contributor to Texas Monthly, his essays and articles have appeared in prestigious publications like The Atlantic, National Geographic, and The New York Times Magazine. His collection of essays, "The Eye of the Mammoth," was praised for its "masterful" prose and insightful observations. In television, he has written award-winning scripts, including HBO's "The Last of His Tribe" and TNT's "King of Texas," a Western adaptation of Shakespeare's "King Lear." His screenplay for "The Colt" earned nominations for a Writers Guild Award and the Humanitas Prize.
A graduate of the University of Texas, Harrigan remains active in the literary community as a faculty fellow at the James A. Michener Center for Writers and a writer-at-large for Texas Monthly. He is also a founding member of CAST, an organization dedicated to commissioning public art in Austin. His contributions to literature have been recognized with honors such as the Texas Writers Award and the Lon Tinkle Award for lifetime achievement. Harrigan was inducted into the Texas Literary Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as a pivotal figure in Texas letters. He lives in Austin with his wife, Sue Ellen, and their family.