1923. Hamlin Garland was born near La Crosse, Wisconsin and lived in the area for nine years before his family moved to South Dakota. As an adult he lived in major cities throughout the United States but visited his birthplace often. In 1922 he received a Pulitzer Prize for A Daughter of the Middle Border, and was also director of the American Academy of Arts and Letters for a number of years. Garland wanted to write regional literature, and he is famous for his realistic portrayal of Wisconsin rural life. Son of the Middle Border is his autobiography and considered by some to be a masterpiece.