Alabama Authors

Category: All

  • BRUNSON, MARION BAILEY, 1931-2007

    Biography: Educator; genealogist. Born–August 12, 1931, Elba. Parents– Fox and Mary (Bailey) Brunson. Married– Nancy Elizabeth Cowart, June 4, 1960. Children– Two. Education– Troy State University, B.S.; Florida State University, master’s degree; qualified for the AA certificate through Auburn University. Served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Principal of Elba High School for three…

  • GREENE, FRANCES NIMMO, 1867-1937

    Biography: Writer, teacher, librarian. Born– April 5, 1867. Tuscaloosa. Parents– Thomas Finley and Virginia (Owen) Greene. Education– Tuscaloosa Female College.  Local correspondent for the Philadelphia Times, 1883-86; Taught in Birmingham and Montgomery; principal of Capitol Hill School, Montgomery and of La Fayette Public School; in 1909, assistant to the library division of the Alabama State…

  • JONES, WALTER BURGWYN, 1888-1963

    Biography: Attorney, judge. Born– Oct. 16, 1888, Montgomery, Ala. Parents– Thomas Goode (later governor of Alabama) and Georgene Caroline (Bird) Jones. Education– Alabama Polytechnic Institute, 1906-1907; University of Alabama Law School, L.L.B., 1909. Active in elective, appointive, and volunteer positions in state and civic organizations. Appointed Judge of the 15th Judicial Circuit, Montgomery County, 1920;…

  • RIVES, AMELIE LOUISE, 1863-1945

    Biography: Writer; socialite. Born– August 23, 1863, Richmond, Va. Parents– Alfred Landon and Sarah (Macmurdo) Rives. Goddaughter of Robert E. Lee. Moved to Mobile in 1870. Married– John Armstrong Chanler, June 14, 1888; divorced, 1895. Married– Prince Pierre Troubetzoy, February 18, 1896. Pursued a scandalous lifestyle that is reflected in her very successful novels. Suffered…

  • BRATCHER, ALFRED LEWIS, 1905-1990

    Biography: Clergyman. Born– December 9, 1905, Texas. Parents–George and Frances Bratcher. Married– Eva Howard. Education– Tennessee State University; American Baptist Theological Seminary in Nashville; studied at Morehouse College; Gammon Theological Seminary in Atlanta; and Virginia Union University in Richmond, Va.  Served as minister of the Morning Star Baptist Church in Demopolis, the First Baptist Church, Montgomery,…

  • RIVES, JOHN ROBERT THOMAS, 1875-1970

    Biography: Railroad conductor, union official; elected official, Born– Shelbyville, Tenn., June 13, 1875. Parents– James Monroe and Martha J. Parker Rives. Married– Mamie L. Gordon, June 19, 1985. Children– two.   Worked for the L & N Railroad, 1890-1916. Elected mayor of Inglenook, 1915; Coroner of Jefferson County, 1917-21; Represented Jefferson County in the Alabama State Legislature, 1923-27; deputy president and…

  • ABERNATHY, RALPH DAVID, 1926-1990

    Clergyman; civil rights activist.  Born– March 11, 1926, Hopewell Community, near Linden, in Marengo County.  Parents– William L. and Louivery Bell Abernathy.  Married– Juanita Odessa Williams.  Children– four.  Alabama State University, B.A., 1951; Atlanta University, M.A. in sociology, 1958.  Served in U.S. Army WWII.  Ordained to the Baptist ministry in 1948; served  as pastor of several…

  • McDONALD, CLARABEL ISDELL, 1902-1999

    Biography: Missionary. Born– November 24, 1902, Albertville. Parents– Robert Lusk  and Sara Ida Isdell. Education– WMU Training School, Louisville, Ky.; B.A., Howard College; M.A., George Peabody College. Employed as Southern Baptist Missionary, China and Hawaii, 1936-1960; director of library services, Solitude Baptist Church, Albertville. Died July 31, 1999. Source: SCRIPSIT. Publication(s): The Story of Robert…

  • LINZEY, ALICIA VOGT, 1943-

    Biography: Zoologist. Born– January 27, 1943, Bloomingburg, N.Y. Married– Donald Wayne Linzey, June 2, 1963. Children– Two. Education– Cornell University, B.S., 1964, M.S., 1965. ; Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Ph. D., 1981. Laboratory instructor and research associate, Cornell University; collaborator, National Park Service, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 1963-1970; research associate, University of South Alabama, 1968-.…

  • LINZEY, DONALD WAYNE, 1939-

    Biography: Biologist. Born– September 4, 1939, Baltimore, Md. Parents– Charles Herbert and Dorothy Katherine (Billingsley) Linzey. Married– Alicia Vogt, June 2, 1963. Children– Two. (Divorced 1983). Married Juanita Bird Holton, May 19, 1984.  Education– Western Maryland College, A.B., 1961; Cornell University, M.S., 1963, Ph.D., 1966. Employed by Cornell University, 1966-1967; instructor and  curator of the…

  • BILLINGSLEY, ANDREW, 1926-

    Biography: University administrator; sociologist; professor; writer. Born– March 20, 1926, Marion, Al.  Parents–Silas and Lucy Billingsley.  Married– Amy Loretta Tate.  Children– two.  Education– Grinnell College, A.B., 1951; Boston University, M.S., 1956; University of Michigan, M.A., 1960; Brandeis University, Ph.D., 1964.  U.S. Army, WWII, 1944-46.  American Friends Service Committee, director of Youth Service Projects, Chicago, 1951-54;…

  • SCOTT, CAROLYNNE BLACKWELL, 1937-

    Biography: Journalist; author.  Born– Feb. 10, 1937, in Birmingham, Ala. Parents– Walter Craig and Florrie (Webb) Blackwell. Married– Karl Legrant Scott, Apr. 18, 1964. Children– One. Education– Samford University, A.B., 1958; University of Alabama in Birmingham, M.A. Associate editor, Shades Valley Sun, 1958-59. Taught at Hewitt-Trussville High School, 1959-60.  Worked for the Birmingham News; fashion editor, Birmingham…

  • HAWLEY, LANGSTON THACKER, 1909-1993

    Biography: Economist; university professor. Born– November 17, 1909, in Houston, Tex. Parents– Willard Scott and Mae Elizabeth (Thacker) Hawley. Education– University of Alabama, B.S., 1932; University of North Carolina, M.S., 1933, Ph.D., 1946. Served in U.S. Navy, WWII. Married– Marion House Scholl on January 28, 1933. Taught at the University of Alabama, 1932-1936, 1938, and…

  • TOWNES, SAMUEL ALLEN, 1806-1873

    Newspaper editor; lawyer.  Born– 1806, Greenville, South Carolina.  Parents–Samuel A. and Rachel Stokes Townes.  Married– Joanna Lois Hall, January 23, 1834. .  Children– eight.  Education–University of Virginia; read law in Abbeville, South Carolina.  Admitted to the bar in 1829; opened a partnership with a friend; founded a newspaper called the Whig.  Moved to Marion, Alabama,…

  • DUNCAN, KATHERINE McKINSTRY, 1904-1991

    Biography: Journalist; teacher. Born– October 23, 1904, Vaiden, Miss. Parents– Thomas Alston and Mattie (Wright) McKinstry. Married– Jess A. Duncan, March 11, 1925. Children– one. Education– Jacksonville State University;  University of Alabama.  Taught school in Marshall County, 1921-1925; worked for the Advertiser-Gleam  as columnist and  social editor, 1945-1963; after postgraduate study at the University of Alabama,…

  • ANTHONY, JAMES DANELLY, 1825-1899

    Biography: Methodist clergyman; teacher; newspaper editor.  Born– October 12, 1825,  Abbeville, S. C.  Parents–  Whitfield and Lucinda Miller Anthony.  Married– Emily Baugh, November 23, 1847 (died 1867).  Children–six.  Married– Elizabeth Josephine Alexander, September 30, 1867 (died 1890).  Children–six.  Married– Anna Biggers Wiggins, July 21, 1890. Licensed to preach, 1846.  Served  Methodist churches in Alabama and Georgia,…

  • SMITH, CHARLES P., 1863-1929

    Biography: Businessman, public official. Born– May 20, 1863, in Sulphur Springs, Ga. Married– Minnie Holly , 1887. Children– Three. Education– Graduate, Chattanooga High School about 1880. Worked as a salesman for Vance and Kirby Hardware Company, Chattanooga, 1881-1887; associated with Smith, Echols, and Bennett Hardware,  Gadsden, 1887-1914; after 1914 ran his own insurance agency. Mayor of Gadsden 1905-1906; on Etowah…

  • HARRISON, E. BRUCE, 1932-

    Biography: Corporate communications consultant; Public relations practitioner; journalist. Born–  April 3, 1932, Lanett. Parents–Emmett Bruce and Jenelle Williams Harrison.  Married Lucy White, 1954  (divorced 1971). Children–three. Married Patricia de Stacy Spain, August 23, 1973.  Education– University of Alabama, B.A. 1954;  postgraduate study, Catholic University. While at University of Alabama, editor of Crimson-White, 1953-1954. Reporter, Talladega…

  • SELLERS, JAMES BENSON, 1889-1964

    Biography: Historian; school administrator; college professor. Born–February 17, 1889,  Camden, Ala. Married– Carrie Autrey about 1921. Children– One. Education– University of Alabama, B.S. and M.S.; University of Chicago, M.A.; University of North Carolina, Ph.D. Public school superintendent; professor at Athens College and University of Alabama. Member Phi Alpha Theta, American Association of University Professors, and…

  • HARRIS, WILLIAM STUART, 1933-2017

    Biography: Historian; teacher. Born– October 4, 1933, Birmingham. Parents– William Guy and Frances Elizabeth (Stuart) Harris. Married– Barbara King Cooper. Children– Four. Education– University of Alabama, B.S., 1957; M.A., 1966; Ed.  D., 1970.  Taught in Mountain Brook school system and Birmingham University School; chairman of History Department, Marion Military Institute; professor, Judson College. Storyteller and…

  • LUSK, LEILA FEARN, 1863-1955

    Biography: Writer.  Born– August 29, 1863, Huntsville. Parents– Robert and Elizabeth Lee (Coles) Fearn, Jr. Married– John Alexander Lusk. Children– Five. Education– Huntsville Female Institute, Holly Springs (Mississippi) Institute. Served as president of the Alabama Writers Conclave and of the Alabama Branch of the League of American Pen Women. Member– Guntersville Literary Circle, Alabama Federation…

  • SMITH, LARRY J., 1942-

    Biography: Journalist, college administrator. Born– May 27, 1942 in Albertville, Ala. Parents– Howard J. and Jo Lee Smith. Married– Brenda Jackson on July 30, 1962. Children– One. Education– Snead Junior College; Jacksonville State University, B.S. Associate editor Sand Mountain Reporter, 1963-1967; financial aid director at Jacksonville State University after 1971; president of Marshall Co. Archaeological…

  • CONNICK, LUCILLE MALLON

    See MALLON, LUCILLE SIMMS

  • JOHNSTON, HENRY POELLNITZ, 1908-1985

    Biography: Journalist, broadcaster; genealogist. Born– January 26, 1908, Uniontown. Parents– Charles Poellnitz, Jr. and Eloise Simms (White) Johnston. Married– Margaret Louise Feagin, December 26, 1948. Children– Two. Education– Culver Military Academy; Washington and Lee University, A.B., 1929. President and publisher, Huntsville Times; Vice-President and local advertising manager, Birmingham News-Age Herald; Managing Director, WSGN; Executive Vice-President,…

  • ERNST, MORRIS LEOPOLD, 1888-1976

    Attorney. Born– August 23, 1888, Uniontown. Parents– Carl and Sarah (Bernheim) Ernst, Married– (1)Susan Leerburger, 1912 (died 1922); (2) Margaret Samuels, March 1, 1923. Children– Three. Education– Williams College, B.A., 1909; New York Law School, J.D., 1912. Served as treasurer for shirt manufacturer in Brooklyn, 1911-1912; bookkeeper and salesman, 1911-1915, admitted to New York Bar,…

  • TWITTY, WILLIAM BRADLEY, 1920-1994

    Biography: Businessman. Born– January 5, 1920, in Allsboro, Ala. (Colbert County). Parents– Clarence Hudson and Lydia (Blackburn) Twitty. Married– Gaila Northing, 1941. Children– Four. Married– Edith Bolling, July 1951. Children– Two. Education– University of North Alabama, 1939-1941; University of Alabama, 1941-1943; University of North Carolina, A.B., 1944. Recipient, Julius Rosenwald Fellowship to University of Alabama,…

  • BARNARD, HARRY VOLLIE, 1929-

    Biography: Teacher; teacher educator. Born– June 15, 1929, Cottonville. Parents– Percy T. and Marjorie (Edmonds) Barnard. Married– Wanda Hyde, December 7, 1950. Children– Two. Education– University of North Alabama, B.S., 1950; University of Alabama, M.A., 1954, Ed.D., 1959; additional study at Harvard University, 1955; Ain Shams University in Cairo, Egypt, 1976. Served in the U.S.…

  • BAILEY, HUGH COLEMAN, 1929-2012

    Biography: College president; historian; college professor. Born– July 2, 1921, Berry. Parents– Coleman C. and Susie J. (Jenkins) Bailey. Married– Ahleida Joan Seever, November 17, 1962. Children– Two. Education– Howard College, A.B., 1950; University of Alabama, M.A., 1951, Ph.D., 1954. Taught at Howard (which became Samford University in 1965), 1953-1970; served as Dean of Arts and Sciences…

  • HUMPHRIES, JOHN JEFFERSON, 1955-2014

    Biography: Linguist, poet, university professor. Born– August 24, 1955, Tuscaloosa. Parents– William Washington and Sarah Aduston (Meriwether) Humphries. Married– Ann Wahl Reiger, August 4, 1984. Married– Jeannie Smith, July 1, 1989. Education– Duke University, A.B., 1977, M.A., 1978; Yale University, M.Phil., 1980, Ph.D., 1981; received fellowship from Yale University, 1977-1981. Taught French at Yale, 1982,…

  • FOSTER, CHARLES WILLIAM, 1939-2012

    University professor; folk musician; literary and linguistic scholar. Born– January 1, 1939, Chattanooga. Parents– James Will and Miriam (Crick) Foster. Married– Anne Brandon. Children– Two. Education– University of Chattanooga, B.S., 1951; East Tennessee State University, M.A., 1962; University of Alabama, Ph,D., 1968. Served in U.S. Army, 1961. Taught at the University of North Alabama, 1968-2007;…

  • BOND, GORDON CREWS, 1939-1997

    Biography: Historian; University professor; Dean. Born– November 17, 1939, Fort Myers, Fla. Parents– Henry C. and Hazel Crews Bond. Married– Stephanie Johns, September 7, 1974. Children– Two. Education– Florida State University, B.S., 1962, M.A., 1963; Ph.D., 1966. Taught at the University of Southern Mississippi, 1966-1967; Auburn University , 1976-97; Head of Department of History, 1985-91; Associate Dean…

  • BARTLETT, JERRY FRANK, 1941-

    Biography: Attorney, educator; college president. Born– April 17, 1941, Langdale. Parents– James Joel and Estelle (Frazier) Bartlett. Married– Gisela Beyer, September 27, 1963. Children– One. Education– Florence State University, B.S, 1963; Samford University, Cumberland School of Law, J.D, 1967. Employed as an insurance investigator in Charleston, S.C., 1964-1965; admitted to the Alabama Bar; taught business…

  • WILKES, WILLIAM PUGH, 1880-1967

    Biography: Baptist clergyman. Born– March 14, 1880, in Josie Beat, Pike County, Ala. Parents– William Henry and Susannah Missouri Lawson Pugh.  Married– Mamie Tupper Powell, September 3, 1909.  Children–five. Education– Howard College; Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Th.D. Ordained, July 15, 1906, First Baptist Church, Troy. Pastor, Brownwood, Tex.; served churches in Mobile, Cullman, Decatur, Opelika,…

  • SCALF, SUE, 1935-

    Biography: Poet; teacher. Born– May 30, 1935, Barboursville, Ky. Married– Samuel Scalf. Children– Two. Education– Michigan Technical University, Jones Law School, and University of Alabama in Montgomery; Troy State University in Montgomery, B.A.; M.A., 1980. Taught creative writing at Montgomery Academy and at Troy State University. Member of the board of directors of Alabama State Poetry Society. Source:…

  • SHACKELFORD, EDWARD MADISON, 1863-1943

    Biography: Educator; college president. Born– Feb. 1, 1863, at Pintlala, Ala. Parents– Madison and Sophronia (Ledbetter) Shackelford. Married– Rosa Lee Brantley, Feb. 1, 1886. Children–8. Married– Julia Wilson Jernigan, June 8, 1918. Education– University of Alabama, A.B., A.M., and LL.D. Professor at Troy State Teachers College 1887-1899, president from 1899-1937. Member Phi Beta Kappa and Kappa…

  • STOUDENMIRE, JOHN, 1942-

    Biography: Psychologist, educator. Born– July 28, 1942, Prattville, Ala.  Parents– John A. and Florence Sellers Stoudenmire. Married– Nan Chancey. Children– Three. Education– Birmingham Southern College, B.S.; University of Southern Mississippi, Ph.D. Outpatient director for many years mental health complex of North Mississippi Medical Center, Tupelo; clinical director Singing River Health Services, Pascagoula, Miss.; president Mississippi…

  • SMITH, ALGERNON LUNDY, 1868-1964

    Biography: Businessman. Born– Jan. 9, 1868, in Prattville, Ala. Parents– Benjamin F. and Sarah Holt Smith. Married– Carrie J. Brown at Anniston, Ala., June 20, 1893. Children– Two. Education– attended Howard College in Marion. Joined brother in business and established agencies in Texas and Louisiana for Daniel Pratt Gin Co.; purchased controlling interest in Barbour Machine Works,…

  • GRIMES, MARTIN, 1918-1974

    Biography: Soldier. Born– August 8, 1918, Bradleytown. Married– Acie Lee Duke. Children– Five. Resident of Cordova and Jasper before joining the U.S. Army just before World War II. Served in South Pacific during World War II; promoted to Captain, but apparently reverted to the enlisted ranks after the war; retired as 1st Sergeant in 1962.…

  • BAUGHMAN, DOROTHY, 1940-

    Biography: Technical worker; Writer. Born– July 13, 1940, Prattville. Parents– Charles Ross and Thelma (Cooper) McCartney. Married– James Baughman, April 22, 1960. Children– Three. Education– Attended high school in Elmore County. Employed as telephone switchboard operator in Montgomery, 1959-61; cardiogram technician at Elmore County Hospital, 1968-73; and after 1973, free-lance writer. Published articles in various…

  • RYAN, HARRIET FITTS, 1891-1984

    Biography: Actress, journalist. Born– Tuscaloosa, Ala. Parents– W. C. and Eleanor (Hewitt) Fitts. Married– Judge Bernard Ryan, 1923. Children– Four. Education– Mobile schools. Acted in the theatre companies of Laura Hope Crewes, Margaret Auglin, and Madame Yorake.  Worked as a newspaper correspondent in the 1920’s and 1930’s; wrote a syndicated column, “Grits and Gravy.”  Lived in…

  • GROOM, WINSTON, 1943-

    Biography: Writer. Born– March 23, 1943, in Washington, D.C.; grew up in Baldwin County.  Parents– Winston Francis and Ruth (Knudson) Groom. Married– Ruth Noble in 1969; divorced, 1974. Married– Anne Clinton, 1987.  Children– one. Education– University of Alabama, A.B., 1965. Served in U.S. Army, 1965-1967; attained rank of captain. Staff writer for Washington Star, 1967-1976, free-lance writer after…

  • HITT, ANNIE EARLE LAND, 1910-2004

    Biography: Genealogist. Born– November 17, 1910, Pickens Co. Parents– James L. and Sarah Emma (Carson) Land. Married– Marcus C. Hitt, May 11, 1929. Children– One. Education– Liberty High School, Pickens Co. Died May 10, 2004. Source: Annie Land Hitt, Tuscaloosa, Ala. Publication(s): The Hitts of Sumter County. S.l.; The Publication(s) Table Letter Shop, 1966. Contributor:…

  • HALBERT, HENRY SALE, 1837-1916

    Biography: Teacher, linguist, Indian colonization agent. Born– January 14, 1837,  Yorkville, Pickens Co. Parents– Percival Pickens and Jane Owen Halbert. Education– Union University, Murfreesboro, Tenn., A.M., 1856. Participated with State Troops of Texas in campaigns against Kiowa and Comanche; served as a private in the 6th Texas Cavalry, Confederate States Army. Taught in various schools…

  • CASON, CLARENCE, 1898-1935

    Biography: Reporter, university professor. Born– December 20, 1898, Ragland. Parents– Eugene P. and Sarah Coleman Cason. Married– Louise Elliott Rickerman, 1927. Children– One. Education– Attended the University of Alabama, 1913-1917, where he edited the Crimson-White; elected to Phi Beta Kappa; University of Wisconsin, M.A., 1925. Joined the U.S. Army and served as an aerial machine…

  • McGREGOR, ALBERT G.

    See McGregor, Albert Alexander

  • McGREGOR, ALBERT ALEXANDER, 1835-1907

    Biography: Educator; farmer.  Born– March 1, 1835, Lawrence County, Ala. Parents– William and Elizabeth (Carpenter) McGregor. Married– Celia King, December 23, 1858. Children– Seven. Married–Harriet C. Cooper, February 13, 1902. Education– LaGrange College, LaGrange, Ala., graduated 1854. Employed as chair of mathematics, LaGrange College, 1855-1861; Confederate States Army, 1861-1865; cotton farmer 1865-70; taught at LaGrange College,…

  • McCORD, HOWARD FURMAN, 1888-1983

    Biography: Farmer. Born– July 24, 1888, Calera, Ala. Parents– James M. & Florence (Pratt) McCord. Married– Irene Cleveland, February 17, 1923. Children– Two. Education– A.B., 1910, Howard College. Self-employed farmer; assistant agent, U.S. Department of Agriculture. Honors– award for his contribution to progress in agriculture and agribusiness, honored by the Bibb County Historical Association, 1976. Died November…

  • McCLENDON, JAMES BARNEY, 1905-1985

    Biography: Administrator, farmer. Born– December 11, 1905,  Attala, Ala. Parents–Barney M. and Norah Toney McClendon. Education– graduate of Jacksonville State College; M.S., George Peabody College, graduate study, Columbia University. Studied and taught English at the  University of Berlin and Freiburg University; assistant to the president, Gulf Park College, Gulfport, Miss.; civilian personnel officer, Smyrna Army Air Force Base,…

  • MAXWELL, JAMES ROBERT, 1844-1930

    Biography: Farmer, county commissioner, Confederate soldier. Born– Tuscaloosa, Ala., August 29, 1844. Parents– Thomas and Susan Charlotte (Farley) Maxwell. Married– Eugenia E. Harris, June 5, 1867. Children– six. Education– Auburndale, Mass.; University of Alabama, 1861. Served with the 34th Alabama Regiment, Loachapoka, Ala.; Lumsden’s Battery, Tuscaloosa; discharged, May 4, 1865. Farmer in Tuscaloosa County; served…

  • JONES, WILLIAM McKENDREY, 1927-2011

    Biography: Writer; literary scholar; university professor. Born– Sept. 19, 1927, Dothan, Ala. Parents– William M. and Margaret (Farmer) Jones. Married– Ruth Ann Roberts, Aug. 14, 1952. Children– Three. Education– University of Alabama, B.A., 1950; Northwestern University, Ph.D., 1953. Served in U. S. Army, 1945-46. Taught English, Wisconsin State College at Eau Claire, 1953-55; University of…