(1921–92), U.S. author. Born on Aug. 11, 1921, in Ithaca, N.Y., Haley wrote historical fiction that depicted the struggles of African Americans in the United States. He served in the United States Coast Guard for 20 years as chief journalist. After he retired from the military, he collaborated with Malcolm X in writing his first major publication, ‘The Autobiography of Malcolm X' (1965). Then Haley began to pursue his interest in his ancestry. Old family stories, museum research, and visits to Africa enabled Haley to trace his African ancestry. The extensive research resulted in ‘Roots: the Saga of an American Family' (1976), for which he received the Pulitzer prize in 1977. Haley was awarded the Spingarn Medal in 1977.