The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
The author's debut and sole published authored book, and the central entry point to her narrative science writing.
Author guide
Rebecca Skloot Books in Order
Rebecca Skloot is an American journalist, teacher, and science writer whose narrative nonfiction examines science, medicine, race, ethics, and the human consequences of research. She holds a B.S. in biological sciences and an MFA in creative nonfiction, has taught creative writing and science journalism, and founded the Henrietta Lacks Foundation. Her sole published authored book is The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (2010). She also co-edited The Best American Science Writing 2011 with Floyd Skloot.
narrative nonfictionscience writingbiography
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- The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
nonfiction · 2010
Her name was Henrietta Lacks, but scientists know her as HeLa. She was a poor black tobacco farmer whose cells—taken without her knowledge in 1951—became one of the most important tools in medicine, vital for developing the polio vaccine,…
Frequently asked questions about Rebecca Skloot
Who is Rebecca Skloot, and what is she known for?
Rebecca Skloot is an American science writer, journalist, and teacher best known for bringing the story of Henrietta Lacks and HeLa cells to a broad audience.
Sources: rebeccaskloot.com (opens in a new tab)as.pitt.edu (opens in a new tab)
What did Rebecca Skloot study, and how did she become a writer?
She earned a B.S. in biological sciences from Colorado State University and an MFA in creative nonfiction from the University of Pittsburgh. Before pursuing writing full time, she worked for about a decade as a veterinary technician.
Sources: rebeccaskloot.com (opens in a new tab)as.pitt.edu (opens in a new tab)
What inspired Rebecca Skloot to write about Henrietta Lacks?
At 16, Skloot learned about Henrietta Lacks and her HeLa cells in a biology class, but her teacher could tell her little about Lacks herself. Her unanswered questions led her to research the story and eventually develop it into her graduate writing project.
Sources: rebeccaskloot.com (opens in a new tab)rebeccaskloot.com (opens in a new tab)
What awards has Rebecca Skloot received?
Among her major honors, Skloot won the 2011 National Academies Communication Award for the book category for her narrative treatment of the scientific and ethical issues surrounding Henrietta Lacks.
What is Rebecca Skloot’s legacy beyond her writing?
Skloot founded the Henrietta Lacks Foundation in 2010, which provides grants and educational support to members of Lacks’s immediate family. Her work has also helped keep public attention focused on informed consent, racial inequity, and ethics in medical research.
Sources: henriettalacksfoundation.org (opens in a new tab)hopkinsmedicine.org (opens in a new tab)