He is also co-author of the non- fiction book The Last Ride and author of the non-fiction book In Search of The Russian Bear. Smith is the author of seven novels: The River Is Home, The Beginning, Forever Island, Angel City, Allapattah, A Land Remembered, and The Seas That Mourn, and a story collection, A white Deer. Smith wrote historic novels about Florida and Indian tribes. Scott presents the Great Floridian Award to Patrick Smith at his Merritt Island home. In May 2002 Smith was the recipient of the Florida Historical Society’s Fay Schweim Award as the “Greatest Living Floridian.” The one-time-only award was established to honor the one individual who has contributed the most to Florida in recent history. He moved to Florida in 1966.ĪWARDED GREATEST LIVING FLORIDIAN IN 2002 degree and a Master’s degree in English from the University of Mississippi. A native of Mendenhall, Mississippi, he holds a B.A. Smith is a 1999 inductee into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame, which is the highest and most prestigious cultural honor that can be bestowed upon an individual by the state of Florida. He received the Governor’s “Great Floridian” award last year, which is presented to men and women who have made significant contributions to the progress and welfare of Florida. His work as an author was nominated three times for the Pulitzer Prize and once for the Noble Prize for Literature.

Smith was born in Mendenhall, Miss and moved to Florida in 1966. Pulitzer Prize and Noble Prize-nominated author, and Merritt Island resident, Patrick Smith passed away today at a nursing home on Merritt Island at the age of 87. MERRITT ISLAND, FLORIDA – Pulitzer Prize and Noble Prize-nominated author, and Merritt Island resident, Patrick Smith passed away Sunday at a nursing home on Merritt Island at the age of 87.

A Land Remembered by Patrick D. Smith