Keith, Harold (1903-1998), was an American children’s author known for his historical novel Rifles for Watie (1957). The book won the 1958 Newbery Medal. The medal is awarded annually to the best children’s book written by an American. Rifles for Watie is set during the American Civil War (1861-1865). It tells the story of Jefferson Davis Bussey, a young Union spy trapped behind Confederate lines. The novel takes place in Oklahoma, the setting for nearly all of Keith’s fiction. His research for the novel’s historical background included interviewing 22 Civil War veterans. His books have been praised for their attention to historical detail.
Keith’s historical novel Komantcia (1965) is based on the true story of a Spanish boy captured by the Comanche Indians in the Oklahoma Territory in 1865. Keith also wrote The Sound of Strings: Sequel to Komantcia (1992). The novel The Obstinate Land (1977) deals with pioneers trying to homestead in the Oklahoma Territory in 1893. Keith’s other children’s books include The Runt of Rogers School (1971), The Bluejay Boarders (1972), Susy’s Scoundrel (1974), and Chico and Dan (1998).
Harold Verne Keith was born on April 8, 1903, in Lambert in the Oklahoma Territory and spent almost his entire life in Oklahoma. Keith received B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Oklahoma in 1929 and 1938. His first book, Boys’ Life of Will Rogers (1937), grew out of his master’s degree thesis about Clem Rogers, an Oklahoma rancher who was the father of the famous entertainer Will Rogers. The book was reissued in 1991 as Will Rogers, a Boy’s Life: An Indian Territory Childhood.
Keith was the sports publicity director at the University of Oklahoma from 1930 to 1969. He wrote several books about football at the university and sports in general. Keith died on Feb. 23, 1998.
