Isabel Wilkerson Receives Mark Lynton History Prize for 'The Warmth of Other Suns'

Columbia University and the Nieman Foundation announced that Isabel Wilkerson will receive the 2011 Mark Lynton History Prize for her book "The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration." Wilkerson, who serves as the director of narrative nonfiction at Boston University, won the Pulitzer Prize for feature writing in 1994 while at The New York Times.

In a recent interview, Wilkerson detailed her extensive research process, including over 1,200 interviews across the United States, which helped her select three main characters whose migration stories set the narrative threads of her book. She focused on locations where migrants formed communities, such as Mississippi clubs in Chicago and Baptist churches in New York, to understand their journeys.

Wilkerson stated that selecting these protagonists involved not just finding compelling stories, but ensuring each character represented a significant facet of the Great Migration's historical landscape. She aimed to represent different regions, decades, and personal motivations behind the migration, cultivating distinct voices to keep readers engaged with the narrative.

Reflecting on her approach, Wilkerson noted that her initial knowledge of the migration was general. Through interviews, she sought to uncover fresh perspectives, emphasizing the importance of experiencing stories without preconceived notions. Wilkerson faced a unique challenge in balancing personal stories with historical data, weaving them together to create a compelling narrative.

She drew inspiration from John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath," noting similarities in migration themes, and valued the intimate moments of her subjects’ lives. She expressed that the act of leaving one’s home was a strong focus of her narrative.

Wilkerson’s research methodology prioritized sourcing lived experiences, choosing to capture people’s stories before delving into archival data. She explained that while a comprehensive outline is often the norm for storytelling, her process was more organic, arising from the lived experiences of her characters.

In conclusion, Wilkerson shared her views on managing extensive research, asserting the importance of taking small, manageable steps throughout the process, much like preparing a meal. She emphasized that having ample material allows for choice and refinement, essential in the craft of narrative nonfiction.