James A. Michener (1907-1997). The world famous author grew up in Doylestown and graduated in 1925 from the public school formerly here, having been a top- ranking student. His first novel, "Tales of the South Pacific", received the 1948 Pulitzer Prize for fiction. His many other books include "The Fires of Spring" (1965), & "Recessional" (1994). He traveled widely and was a noted art collector and philanthropist.