Alabama Authors

Category: All

  • KENNY, MICHAEL S., 1863-1946

    Biography: Clergyman. Born– June 28, 1863,  Glankeen, Tipperary, Ireland. Parents– Dermot Shelley and Kathleen (Maders) Kenny. Education– Crescent and Mungret College, Limerick; Royal Irish University; Divinity Schools of Dublin and Ghent; Fordham University, Ph.D.   Emigrated to the United States in 1886, naturalized in 1892. Ordained in the Roman Catholic Church, 1897. Taught at Spring Hill…

  • JENKINS, WILLIAM HARRISON, 1905-1981

    Biography: Teacher, educational administrator, legislator. Born– May 29, 1905, Decatur, Ala. Parents– George Luckey and Myrtis (Schuessler) Jenkins. Married– Margaret Payne, September 15, 1933. Children– Four. Education– Birmingham Southern College, A.B., 1927; Emory University, M.S., 1931. Taught at Selma High School, 1931-1937; principal, Waverly School, 1937-1941; principal, Greensboro Schools, 1941-1948; principal, Decatur High School, 1948-…

  • GAYLE, WILLIAM ARMISTEAD, JR., 1896-1965

    Biography: Mayor; administrator; soldier. Born– March 5, 1896, Montgomery. Parents– William A. and Mary (Winn) Gayle. Married– Katharine Anderson, September 20, 1918. Children– One. Education– Study at U.S. Naval Academy, 1914-1915; University of Alabama, 1915-1916. Served in the U.S. Navy in  World War I; worked nine years as general manager of Anderson Coal Company; was…

  • GREENE, DANIEL ARTHUR, 1863-1923

    Biography: Attorney, judge. Born– August 8, 1863, Lee County. Parents– Rinaldo M. and Martha Ann (Bullard) Greene. Married– Margaret Jordan Morrow, May 6, 1896. Children– Three. Education– Emory College, A.B., 1884; University of Alabama, LL.B., 1886. Practiced law in Birmingham after 1886; served in Alabama State Legislature during 1896-98; associate judge, Criminal Court of Jefferson…

  • FINNELL, WOOLSEY, 1866-1955

    Civil engineer, probate judge, Director of the Alabama State Highway Department. Born– October 24, 1866, Tuscaloosa. Parents– Adoniram Judson and Narcissa (Durrett) Finnell. Married– Margaret Hagler, October 21, 1890. Children– Eight. Education–Tuscaloosa Military Academy;  University of Alabama, B.C.E., 1887. Employed as an axeman by the Kansas City Railroad, 1887; rose to chief engineer for Mobile and Ohio  Railroad; opened…

  • BILBRO, ANNE MATHILDE, 1870-1958

    Biography: Composer, musician, music teacher, writer. Born– January 1870, Tuskegee. Parents– James Andrew and Francina A. (Mason) Bilbro. Married Frank E. Dix, 1908.  Education– Alabama Conference Female College; studied music under private tutors. Early in her life she composed two sets of piano pieces for children, “Jolly Tunes for Little Folks” and “Wee Folks in…

  • CLEM, PAUL LIVINGSTONE, 1913-1999

    Biography: Methodist clergyman. Born– February 17, 1913, Athens. Parents– Robert Mason and Cora (Holland) Clem. Married– Nelle Echols, August 5, 1936. Children– Three. Education– Birmingham Southern College, A.B., 1937, where he was a member of the unbeaten, untied football team known as “the Southern Squad of 1934”; Emory University, B.D. Served pastorates in churches in…

  • BEAUCHAMP, GEORGE ALLAN, 1855-1937

    Biography: Druggist; businessman. Born– March 16, 1855, Eufaula. Parents– Andrew Hamil and Margaret Euphemia (Allan) Beauchamp. Married– Julia Fauntleroy Crowder, January 15, 1903. Children– Three. Education– City schools of Eufaula. Entered the drug business as a clerk in 1871; became a proprietor in 1889 but disposed of his interest in 1912; cashier of East Alabama…

  • BARRETT, HENRY CHARLES, 1923-1978

    Biography: Musician; music teacher. Born– March 2, 1923, Birmingham. Parents– Henry Clifford and Marcia Powers (White) Barrett. Married– Betsy Joan Mason, July 23, 1955. Children– Three. Education– University of Alabama, B.S., 1948, M.A. 1949; studied at Juillard School of Music; Columbia University.  U.S. Navy, WWII.  Taught at the University of Alabama; played in several symphony…

  • BAYER, SPENCER DROKE, 1892-1985

    Biography: Teacher, educational administrator. Born–May 18, 1982, Cumberland City, Stewart County,  Tennessee. Parents– Joseph and Sarah Arrevia Bedwell Bayer.  Married– Jeanie Huldah Gould, February 12, 1920.  Children–three. Education– University of Tennessee, B.A., 1916. Moved to Boligee, Greene County, Ala. in 1919. Farmed for two years; taught school at Boligee and at Eutaw. Served as county superintendent…

  • CHRISTENBERRY, DANIEL PINKNEY, 1856-1911

    Biography: Professor; college administrator. Born April 27, 1856. Parents–Daniel Asbury and Margaret Rebecca Moore Christenberry.  Married– Annie Hanna, 1893. Children–three.  Education– Southern University, Ph.B., 1887, A.M., 1888. Principal, Greenville Collegiate Institute, 1888-1889; president, Greensboro Female College, 1889-1892; professor of English language and literature, Southern University, after 1892.  Died May 28, 1911. Source: Semi-Centennial History of…

  • BEYER, RICHARD GEORGE, 1940-

    Biography: Businessman, computer programmer, and information technology manager, post-secondary instructor, poet, photographer, and publisher.  Born– August 12, 1940, Long Island, NY.  Parents– Ralph Chester and Madeline Siebert Beyer.   Married– Carolyn Kracke. Children– Two. Education– NY State College of Forestry at Syracuse, Florence State College, Employed- National Floor Products, Florence, Alabama, 1962-1968; Reynolds Metals Company, Listerhill, AL,…

  • CRAWFORD, ANNIE MELL FAULK, 1911-1997

    Biography: Teacher; librarian. Born– December 3, 1911, Troy. Parents– Onis Austin and Magnolia Bay (Powell) Faulk. Married– William Samuel Crawford, August 5, 1933. Education– Troy State University, two years; George Peabody College, B.S., 1931; graduate study at Clemson University and Furman University; correspondence courses; University of Oklahoma in library science. Taught; Good Hope Elementary School,…

  • MELL, ANNIE REBECCA WHITE, 1849-1920

    Biography: Historian; genealogist. Born–August 28, 1849,  Athens, Ga. Parents– William Nathaniel and Rebecca (Benedict) White. Married– Patrick Hues Mell, June 15, 1875. Member– Colonial Dames; state historian, Alabama Daughters of the American Revolution; state treasurer, Alabama United Daughters of the Confederacy; vice-president, Alabama Federation of Women’s Clubs. Died October 14, 1920. Source: Owen’s Story of…

  • DOBYNS, WILLIAM RAY, 1861-1932

    Biography: Presbyterian clergyman; denominational leader. Born– May 17, 1861, Columbus, Missouri. Parents– Benjamin Franklin and Margaret Ruth (Morrow) Dobbins. Married– Mary Triplette Buckland, 1889. Children– Two. Education– Westminster  College (Missouri); McCormick Theological Seminary, B. D., 1889. Ordained a Presbyterian minister in 1889. Organizing pastor of Immanuel Church in Chicago, 1886-1890; financial secretary of Westminister College, 1890-91;…

  • MASSEY, JOHN, 1834-1918

    Biography: Teacher; college president. Born– December 16, 1834, Choctaw County, Ala. Parents– Drury and Vashti (Gorham) Massey.  Married Fredonia A. Taylor, 1866; married Elnora Frances Dallas, 1873. Education– University of Alabama, A.B., 1862; A.M., 1875; honorary LL.D., University of Alabama, 1879. Served as adjutant, 1st Battalion, Hilliard’s Legion, CSA. Taught at University of Alabama, 1864-1865;…

  • MARTIN, BESSIE, 1891-1959

    Biography: Historian; college professor; librarian. Born– 1891. Parents– Robert Lavaga and Minnie Gordon Cunninghame Martin. Education– Judson College, A.B. 1911; University of Alabama, A.B.; Columbia University, M.A., Ph.D. Taught at Judson College, 1913-1940; librarian, Thomasville (Ala.) High School, 1940-1959. Honored with an endowment in her name by Judson Alumnae; history section of Judson’s Bowling Library…

  • MARSHALL, WALLACE, 1904-1982

    Biography: Physician. Born– Appleton, Wis., July 19, 1904. Parents– Victor F. and Fanny (Levy) Marshall. Married– Lucy Cohen, January 12, 1929. Children–one. Married–Louise Marjorie Clayton, August 14, 1953.  Education– B.A., University of Wisconsin, 1930; B.M., 1932; M.D., 1933, Northwestern University. Employed as an intern, Cook County Hospital, 1932-1933; psychiatric fellow, LSU Medical School, Charity Hospital,…

  • MARTIN, ROSCOE COLEMAN, 1903-1972

    Biography: Political scientist; university professor. Born– November 18, 1903, Silsbee, Tex. Parents– Benjamin Wiley and Clara Lee (Mayo) Martin. Married– Mildred Ellis, September 2, 1926. Children– One. Education– B.A., University of Texas, 1924; M.A., 1925; University of Chicago, Ph.D., 1932. Taught at the University of Texas, Austin, 1926-1937; professor and chairman, Department of Political Science, University of…

  • MARTIN, HERBERT WOODWARD, 1933-

    Biography: Poet and dramatist; university professor. Born– October 4, 1933, Birmingham, Ala. Parents– David Nathaniel and Willie Mae (Woodward) Martin. Married–Sue Aultman.  Children–two. Education– B.A., University of Toledo, 1964; M.A., State University of New York, Buffalo, 1967; M. Litt., Middlebury College, M. Litt., 1972; Carnegie-Mellon University, D.A., 1979.   Taught at the State University of New York, Buffalo,…

  • MANCILL, JULIAN DOSSY, 1904-1971

    Biography: Mathematician; university professor; inventor. Born January 21, 1904, Bradley Dam, Escambia County, Ala. Parents–Battle C. and Alice Clements Mancill. Married–Dora Mae Dalee, September 2, 1929.  Children–three. Education– B.A., University of Alabama, 1926; M.A., 1927; Ph.D., University of Chicago, 1934. Employed by University of Alabama, 1927-1966; director, Redstone Arsenal Graduate Institute, Huntsville, 1951-1954; head, Mathematics…

  • TANNER, JOHN THOMAS, 1820-1899

    Biography: Businessman, elected official; political activist. Born– Aug. 25, 1820 in Madison Co., Ala. Parents– Samuel and Margaret Tanner. Married– Susan Owen Wilson, Nov. 26, 1846. Children– Seven. Education– attended school in Athens, Ala. Began his career as a clerk in his father’s store in Athens at the age of thirteen; in cotton business in…

  • PARKER, WILLIAM VANN, 1901-1987

    Biography: Professor, university administrator. Born– December 22, 1901, in Monroe, N.C. Parents– Benjamin Franklin and Sarah Della (Cox) Parker. Married– Carolyn Adele Edwards, July 3, 1926; children–three. Education– University of North Carolina, A.B., 1923; A.M., 1924; Princeton University, 1926-1927; Brown University, Ph.D., 1931. Taught at the University of the South, 1924-1925; University of North Carolina,…

  • ALEXANDER, TRUMAN HUDSON, 1891-1941

    Biography: Writer; columnist. Born– October 20, 1891, Birmingham. Parents– William Brooks and Nancy (Hudson) Alexander. Married– Helen Almon, December 30, 1914. Children– Three. Education– Howard Institute, Mt. Pleasant, Tn., 1900-1909; Vanderbilt University, 1909-1912. Wrote for magazines and newspapers. Wrote a syndicated column, “I Reckon So,” 1912-1938. After 1938, wrote a syndicated weekly feature. Member of the…

  • ALEXANDER, JO

    See: Alexander, Mary Jo

  • AKENS, HELEN MORGAN, 1918-2012

    Biography: Writer; College instructor. Born– Sunny South, Ala., August 6, 1918.  Parents– James Martin and Katherine Morgan. Married– David Strode Akens, August 21, 1953. Education– University of Montevallo, A.B.; University of Alabama, M.A., 1956; attended American University in Washington, D.C. Taught at Huntingdon College, Athens College and the University of Montevallo; served as Dean of…

  • ACTON, HUL-CEE MARCUS, 1897-1981

    Biography: Linguist; college professor of French. Born– April 21, 1897, Louisville, Ky. Parents– J. W. and Hattie (Gooch) Acton. Married– Virginia Franklin, July 18, 1927. Children– One. Education– Georgetown  College (Kentucky), A.B., 1917; University of Wisconsin, M.A., 1920, Ph.D., 1925; further study at the Sorbonne, Paris. Taught at Georgetown College, Kentucky, 1917-1918; University of Wisconsin, 1920-1925; Samford…

  • LANG, GEORGE, 1879-1971

    Biography: Professor of philosophy. Born– Feb. 22, 1879, Wellwood, Ayrshire, Scotland. Parents– George McCraken and Mary (James) Lang. In 1883 family moved to Carbon Hill, Ala., where his father opened a coal mine. Education– Southwestern Presbyterian University, Clarksville, Tenn., B.A., 1905; B.D., 1906; University of Edinburgh, 1908-1909; University of Berlin, 1912-1913; Columbia University, M.A., 1925;…

  • COGGINS, WILMER JESSE, 1925-2012

    Biography; Physician; medical school administrator.  Born– February 20, 1925, in Madison, Florida.  Parents– Wilmer Jesse Coggins and Audrey Walker Collins.  Married– Deborah Ferne Reed, April 16, 1949.  Children–five.  Education– Georgia Military Academy; Duke University, M.D., 1951; internship at Georgetown University Medical Center, 1951-52. residency in internal medicine, University of Florida, 1960-62.  Military service, World War…

  • POPE, VIRGINIA VOSS, 1934-

    Biography: Teacher. Born– August 26, 1934, Fruithurst. Parents– Chester P. and Margaret (Branham) Voss. Married– Robert Russell Pope, Jr., December 21, 1957. Children– Three. Education– Jacksonville State University, B.A., 1955; M.S., 1972; University of Grenoble, 1956. Taught school in Heflin. Member and active in the Wesleyan Guild, Mothers March of Dimes, P.T.A., Cleburne County Arts…

  • PILCHER, JOSEPH MITCHELL, 1896-1979

    Biography: Writer, clergyman. Born– December 4, 1896, Marksville, La. Parents– Felix Mendelssohn and Winifred Pearl (Joffrion) Pilcher. Married–Miriam Fournier, 1920; children–four. Married– Sara Macdue Nettles, March 1, 1930. Children– Two. Education– Tulane University, 1921-1923; University of California at Berkeley, 1932-1933; Pacific Unitarian School, B.D., 1934. Employed as a newspaper writer, construction engineer, social worker, government worker, and…

  • PARTIN, ROBERT LOVE, 1899-1980

    Biography: Historian; University professor. Born– August 25, 1899, Pelham, Tenn. Parents– James Carter and Melvina (Henley) Partin. Married– Sidnah McDonald Sherard, August 4, 1930. Education– Middle Tennessee State College, B.S.; 1927, M.A.; George Peabody College for Teachers, 1928; Ph.D., 1935; Columbia University, 1932. Taught at the Darlington School in Rome, Ga., 1927-1928; Peabody College, 1928-1929;…

  • TAYLOR, ANNE THOMAS GARY PANNELL

    See: Pannell, Anne Thomas Gary

  • PALMER, THOMAS WAVERLY, 1860-1926

    Biography: University professor, college president. Born– May 19, 1860, Snow Hill. Parents– Dabney and Martha A. (Simpson) Palmer. Married– Lulu Ranier, December 22, 1886. Children– Five. Education– Howard College (then located in Marion), 1877-1878; University of Alabama, A.M., 1881; B.E., 1882. Taught math at the University of Alabama, 1881-1907; served as dean of academic faculty, 1905-1907. …

  • GARBER, JAMES R.,1889-1978

    Biography: Physician. Born–May 26, 1889, in Pueblo, Colo. Parents; John R. and  Catherine L. Garber. Married– Bessie Evans.  Children– Two. Education– High school, Demopolis; Spring Hill College; Jefferson Medical College, M.D.; interned Johns Hopkins Hospital. Professor of Obstetrics, Medical College of Alabama, 1914-1956; chairman, Department of Obstetrics, Jefferson Hillman Hospital. Member and president (1933-1934) Alabama Medical Association;…

  • GAITHER, FRANCES ORMOND JONES, 1889-1955

    Biography: Writer. Born– May 21, 1889, in Somerville, Tenn.; grew up in Corinth, MS  Parents– Paul Tudor and Annie (Smith) Jones. Married– Rice Gaither, April 25, 1912.   Education–   Mississippi State College for Women, B.A., 1909. Taught briefly in Corinth and lived in Mobile and Fairhope after her marriage; moved to New York City in 1929…

  • TAYLOR, HANNIS, 1851-1922

    Biography: Attorney, legal educator, diplomat, writer. Born– Sept. 12, 1851 in New Bern, N. C. Parents– Richard Nixon and Susan (Stevenson) Taylor. Married– Lenora Le Baron, May 8, 1878. Children– Five. Education– attended Lovejoy’s School for Boys; the University of North Carolina; studied law in Mobile with firm of Anderson and Bond; admitted to bar, 1869; practiced…

  • MALLON, RAYMOND PAUL, 1901-1950

    Biography: Journalist; columnist. Born– January 5, 1901, in Mattoon, Ill.(moved to Birmingham as a child).  Parents– John Bernard and Mary MacDonough Mallon. Married Viola Jane Wingreene, June 29, 1929. Education–University of  Louisville, 1918-19; University of Notre Dame, 1919-20.  Writer for Louisville Courier Journal, Brooklyn Eagle, Louisville Post, South Bend News-Herald. Political writer for President Calvin…

  • MALLON, LUCILLE SIMMS, 1917-1989

    Biography: Genealogist. Born– March 14, 1917, Pascagoula, Miss. Parents– Albert Joseph and Nannie Ruth (Eiland) Simms. Married– John H. Mallon, Jr. Children– Three. Married– John P. Connick, July 12, 1980. Founder and editor, The Deep South Genealogical Quarterly. Died September 23, 1989. Source: Beverly Mallon Taylor, Mobile, Ala. Compiler: 1840 Index to Florida Census. Mobile, Ala.;…

  • MADRIGAL, JOSE A., 1945-

    Biography: University professor. Born– July 18, 1945, Ciego de Avila, Cuba. Parents– Antonio and Maria I. Madrigal. Married– Angelia, July 22, 1968. Children– Three. Education– B.A., Michigan State University, 1964; M.A., 1968; Ph.D., University of Kentucky, 1973. Employed as graduate teaching assistant, Michigan State University, 1966-1968; University of Kentucky, 1968-1970; taught Spanish at Auburn University, 1978-2008. Served…

  • STARR, BRYAN BARTLETT, 1934-

    Biography: Professional athlete, coach, businessman. Born– Jan. 9, 1934, in Montgomery, Ala. Parents– Benjamin B. and Lula I. (Tucker) Starr. Married– Cherry Morton, May 8, 1954. Children– Two. Education– University of Alabama, B.S., 1956.  Played football at Alabama; quarterback for Green Bay Packers, 1956-1971; assistant coach, 1972-1975; general manager and head coach for Packers; played…

  • WRIGHT, STEVE, 1942-

    Biography: Football player. Education– Dupont Manual High School, Louisville, Ky.; University of Alabama, B.S., 1964. Chosen in fifth round of National Football League draft by Green Bay Packers. Played professional football, 1964-74;  in National Football League for Packers, Giants, Redskins, Bears, Cardinals and Eagles; in World Football League, Chicago Fires. Source: I’d Rather Be Wright;…

  • PACKER, NANCY HUDDLESTON, 1925-

    Biography: Writer; university professor. Born– May 2, 1925, Washington, D.C. Parents– Rep. George and Bertha (Baxley) Huddleston. Married– Herbert L. Packer, March 15, 1958. Children– Two. Education– Birmingham-Southern College, A.B., 1945; University of Chicago, M.A., 1947; Stanford University, 1959-1960. Employed as a staff writer by the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, 1952-1954. Taught at Stanford University,…

  • MADDOX, ALVA HUGH, 1930-

    Biography: Attorney, judge. Born– April 17, 1930, Covington County. Parents– Christopher Columbus and Audie L. (Freeman) Maddox. Married– Virginia Roberts, June 14, 1958. Children– Two. Education– A.B., University of Alabama, 1952; LL.B., 1957. Admitted to the Alabama Bar, 1957.  Employed as a journalist, Florala News, 1947; law clerk, Alabama Court of Appeals, 1957; field examiner,…

  • LYON, ANNE BOZEMAN, 1860-1936

    Biography: Writer. Born– Mobile, February 25, 1860. Parents– Thomas Temple Armstrong and Mary Morgan Coffee (Heard) Lyon. Education– New Orleans Locquet Institute; studied in Mobile under Professor Amos Towle. Wrote verse for the Louisville Courier-Journal and other newspapers and magazines before 1900. Edited “Feminine Fancies,” women’s section of Mobile publication “Saturday Review.” Member– League of American…

  • McDAVID, MITTIE ROSE OWEN, 1873-1948

    Biography: Writer. Born– Birmingham, Ala. , March 31, 1873.   Parents– Rose Wellington and Sarah Emma (Smith) Owen. Married– Edmund Richardson McDavid, June 30, 1891. Children– Four. Education– Tuscaloosa Episcopal School, Huntsville College. Member– Birmingham Writers Club, (president), National Genealogical Society of America, Daughters of the American Revolution, United Daughters of the Confederacy. Died July…

  • WALLACE, MILDRED WHITE, 1889-1981

    Biography: Teacher, song writer. Born– August 25, 1890, in Columbiana, Ala. Parents– James Richmond and Willie Roberts White. Married– Wales Wellington Wallace. Children– Two. Collaborated with her sister, Clarice White Luck, writing songs and teaching music and dramatics in Shelby County high schools. Vocalist on radio programs. Editor, Shelby County Democrat. Died July 13, 1981.…

  • GLAZE, ANDREW, III, 1920-2016

    Biography: Journalist; poet; playwright. Born– April 21, 1920, in Nashville, Tenn. ; moved to Birmingham at an early age. Parents– Andrew Louis, Jr., and Mildred (Ezell) Glaze. Education– Harvard College, B.A., 1942; Stanford University, 1946. U.S. Army Air Force, WWII. Married– Dorothy Elliot. Children– Two. Married– Adrianna Keathley, August 12, 1962. Served in U.S. Army…

  • WALKER, SUE BRANNAN, 1940-

    Biography: Teacher; college professor; writer; editor.  Born– April 6, 1940. Parents– Louis Wesley and Katherine (King) Brannan. Married– Ronald Walker. Children– Three. Education– University of Alabama, B.S.; Tulane University, M.Ed., M.A., Ph.D. (1981).  Taught English at Foley High School; Newcomb College; University of South Alabama, 1979-. Stokes Distinguished Professor of English at USA. Adjunct Professor…

  • PARKER, BETTY JUNE, 1929-

    Biography: Teacher, writer, researcher. Born– June 3, 1929, Decatur, Ala. Parents– Charles and Jane (Meadows) Persinger. Education– Berea College, B.A., 1950; George Peabody College, M.A., 1956. Married– Franklin Parker, June 12, 1950. Taught English at Ferrum College, 1950-1952; Belmont College, 1955-1956; Walkill School (N.Y.), 1956-1957; reading instructor at the University of Texas at Austin, 1963-1964. …