Bio
Mari Susette Sandoz (1896–1966) was a prominent Nebraska author and historian, known for her writings on pioneer life and the Plains Indians. Born to Swiss immigrants, she grew up in a strict household near Hay Springs, Nebraska. Sandoz faced numerous hardships, including a domineering father and a failed marriage. Despite these struggles, she pursued writing, enrolling at the University of Nebraska without a high school diploma.
Her breakthrough came with Old Jules, a biography of her father, which was initially rejected multiple times before winning a non-fiction contest. The book’s unromantic portrayal of frontier life shocked some readers but garnered critical acclaim. Sandoz continued to explore themes of the American West in works such as Slogum House and Crazy Horse: The Strange Man of the Oglalas. The latter is noted for its portrayal of Lakota culture and is considered one of her finest achievements.
Throughout her career, Sandoz faced censorship and backlash for her honest depictions of the West. Despite this, she remained dedicated to her craft, encouraging other writers and teaching creative writing. She authored several books on the history of the Great Plains, often linking Western development to animal species. Sandoz died in 1966 from bone cancer and was buried in the Sandhills of Nebraska, the region that shaped much of her life and work.
