Author

Bob Burke

Bob Burke, born in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, has written more historical non-fiction books than anyone else in history. He earned a law degree from Oklahoma City University and received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from OCU and a BA in journalism from the University of Oklahoma. Burke’s more than 130 books have won many awards, including three Pulitzer Prize nominations.

Burke is a member of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame, and the Oklahoma Historians Hall of Fame. He is father to Robert, Amy, and Cody, stepfather to Natalie, Lauren, and Calli, and grandfather to Nathan, Jon, Ridge, Fallon, Greyson, Mia, Emerson, Sutton, Charlie, and Cameron. He and his wife, Chimene, live in Oklahoma City where he practices law and writes books.

Hall of Fame Inductee

Bob Burke

was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in

2006

Recent Publications

Adult

Tim Leonard: Son of the Panhandle

Tim Leonard was born in the Oklahoma Panhandle, a unique and open stretch of land. He went on to earn a law degree and serve in the U.S. Navy, including as a military aide at the White House during President Lyndon B. Johnson's administration. Leonard continued his public service as Minority Leader of the Oklahoma State Senate, U.S. Attorney, and federal judge, earning respect for his integrity and perseverance.

Adult

Gore & Owen: Oklahoma's First Two U.S. Senators

Robert L. Owen was a U.S. Senator from Indian Territory who fought for public control of government and against child labor. He is best known for sponsoring the Glass-Owen Federal Reserve Act of 1913, which created the Federal Reserve System. For this, he has been called the "Father of the Federal Reserve".

Adult

Throwaway Kids: Reforming Oklahoma's Juvenile Justice System

Steven A. Novick filed a class action lawsuit in 1978 against Lloyd Rader, the head of Oklahoma's welfare agency. The lawsuit alleged horrific and unspeakable treatment of juveniles at six state institutions, including coerced sex acts and rape. The inhumane treatment of children had been ignored by Oklahoma's leaders for years.

Adult

The Beaux Arts Ball: The First 75 Years

The Beaux Arts Society was created to support the Oklahoma Art Center, which is now known as the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. Eleanor Kirkpatrick suggested an annual costume ball to raise funds and create publicity for the center. The first ball was held in 1946 and raised $2,480 to fund the construction of a new gallery.