Patrick D. Smith
Patrick D. Smith, an esteemed literary figure, left an indelible mark on Florida’s cultural landscape. In recognition of his exceptional contributions, Smith received numerous awards and honors throughout his life.
Born in Mendenhall, Mississippi, Smith embarked on a remarkable journey that led him to become a celebrated author. He held a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master’s degree in English from the University of Mississippi before making the pivotal decision to relocate to Florida in 1966.
One of the highest accolades bestowed upon Smith was his induction into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame in 1999. This prestigious honor, granted by the state of Florida, celebrated his outstanding cultural contributions to the region.
In May 2002, Smith was bestowed with the Florida Historical Society’s Fay Schweim Award, a unique recognition that singled him out as the “Greatest Living Floridian.” This one-time-only award was established to honor an individual who had made an unparalleled impact on the state of Florida in recent history.
Smith’s literary legacy includes a rich body of work. He authored seven novels, including “The River Is Home,” “The Beginning,” “Forever Island,” “Angel City,” “Allapattah,” “A Land Remembered,” and “The Seas That Mourn.” Additionally, he penned a collection of short stories titled “A White Deer” and co-authored the non-fiction book “The Last Ride,” along with authoring “In Search of The Russian Bear.”
Smith’s literary prowess garnered significant recognition, with three nominations for the Pulitzer Prize. These nominations occurred in 1973 for “Forever Island,” which also earned a spot in Reader’s Digest Condensed Books, both in the English language edition and in various foreign language editions. In 1978, his novel “Angel City” was produced as a “Movie of the Week” for the CBS television network. In 1984, “A Land Remembered” received an Editors’ Choice selection in the New York Times Book Review. Furthermore, Smith’s novel “A Land Remembered” earned the top spot in the annual statewide “The Best of Florida” poll conducted by Florida Monthly Magazine on ten separate occasions.
Notably, Smith’s lifetime work earned him a nomination for the 1985 Nobel Prize for Literature, a testament to the profound impact of his storytelling.
Throughout his career, Smith received numerous awards and honors, including the Tebeau Prize for “A Land Remembered” as the Most Outstanding Historical Novel from the Florida Historical Society in 1986. He also received the Florida Ambassador of the Arts Award from the Florida Department of State in 1996 and was the recipient of the first Florida Cracker Heritage Award for his outstanding contribution to Florida Cracker pioneer heritage in 1997.
In recognition of his literary achievements, the University of Mississippi presented Smith with the Distinguished Alumni Award in October 1990 and inducted him into the Alumni Hall of Fame. To honor his enduring impact on Florida literature, the Florida Historical Society established the Patrick D. Smith Florida Literature Award in his name in 1997.
Patrick D. Smith’s influence extended beyond literature, as evidenced by the dedication of a section of SR 520 as the Patrick D. Smith Causeway by an act of the 2006 Florida Legislature. This highway, spanning from East Merritt Island across the Banana River to Cocoa Beach, serves as a lasting tribute to his legacy.
In June 2013, Smith was further recognized as one of the Great Floridians, an accolade personally presented by Governor Rick Scott and his wife in a heartfelt ceremony at his home.
On January 26, 2014, Patrick Smith passed away, leaving behind an enduring legacy in the world of literature and a profound impact on the cultural heritage of Florida.
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Here is a video of the Celebration of Life held on February 16, 2014.