Pulitzer Winner Gregory White Smith Dies Age 62

Gregory White Smith, the Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer, has passed away at the age of 62. He died on April 10, 2014, after a long battle with a rare brain tumor.
By Newsroom | Obituaries, Arts |

Gregory White Smith, a biographer whose deep dives into the lives of artists like Jackson Pollock earned him a Pulitzer Prize, died on April 10, 2014, at his home in Aiken, South Carolina. He was 62. His death was attributed to a rare brain tumor, a condition he had battled for nearly 40 years.

Smith, alongside his husband and frequent collaborator Steven Naifeh, was best known for their 1990 biography of the artist Jackson Pollock, "Jackson Pollock: An American Saga." This seminal work not only garnered Smith a Pulitzer Prize in 1991 but also served as the foundation for the 2000 film Pollock, starring Ed Harris. The duo later co-authored "Van Gogh: The Life," another extensive biographical undertaking.

A Life in Writing and Law

Before his literary achievements, Smith, a graduate of Harvard Law School, had a brief stint in law and legal book editing. His inclination towards writing was evident from a young age, with childhood anecdotes describing him dictating stories into a Dictaphone.

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The collaboration with Steven Naifeh produced over 18 books. Their meticulous research methods were notable, involving extensive archival work and delving into personal writings to illuminate their subjects' lives. For the Pollock biography, they reportedly scoured archives and prison journals. Similarly, their Van Gogh study involved examining unpublished family letters.

Academic Pursuits and Scholarly Contributions

Beyond his biographical work, the name Gregory White is also associated with academic circles. Gregory White, a professor of Government at Smith College, focuses his research on areas including North African politics, migration, refugee studies, environmental politics, and international security. He has also served as a co-editor for the 'Journal of North African Studies'. His academic contributions include teaching courses on global environmental politics, international relations, and migration.

The biographical output of Gregory White Smith often stirred discourse, particularly within the art world, due to his "intensely psychological examinations" of his subjects. His literary and academic pursuits highlight a multifaceted engagement with understanding human lives and societal structures.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who was Gregory White Smith?
Gregory White Smith was a Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer, famous for his detailed books about artists like Jackson Pollock. He also wrote "Van Gogh: The Life" with Steven Naifeh.
Q: When and why did Gregory White Smith die?
Gregory White Smith died on April 10, 2014, at the age of 62. His death was caused by a rare brain tumor, which he had fought for almost 40 years.
Q: What was Gregory White Smith's most famous work?
His most famous work was the 1990 biography "Jackson Pollock: An American Saga," co-written with Steven Naifeh. This book won him a Pulitzer Prize in 1991 and was made into a movie.
Q: Did Gregory White Smith have other careers?
Before becoming a famous writer, Gregory White Smith studied law at Harvard and worked briefly in law and legal book editing. He also had a childhood interest in telling stories.
Q: How did Gregory White Smith research his books?
He and his collaborator Steven Naifeh were known for very careful research. They looked through many archives and personal writings, like prison journals for the Pollock book and unpublished family letters for the Van Gogh book.