Alabama Authors

Category: All

  • ALSTON, EDITH EUGENIA, 1941-

    Biography: Editor, writer. Born– May 15, 1941, Anniston. Parents– James Robert Maxwell and Cornelia (Thompson) Alston. Education– St. Mary’s High School; junior college in Raleigh, N.C.; University of North Carolina, B.A. in English with honors in writing, 1963. Worked for the children’s book department at Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1964-1965; Harper & Row, 1965-1969; T.Y.…

  • ALLEN, MEL, 1913-1996

    Biography: Sportscaster. Born– February 14, 1913, Birmingham. Parents– Julius and Anna (Lieb) Israel. (Changed his name legally in 1943).  Education– Phillips High School, Birmingham; University of Alabama, A.B., 1932, LL.B., 1936. Pased the bar exam in 1933, but never practiced law. Taught at the University of Alabama, 1932-1937. Began his career as a sports announcer in…

  • BUTTERWORTH, WILLIAM EDMUND, III, 1929-

    Biography: Writer of military and detective fiction. Born– November 10, 1929, Newark, N.J. Parents– William Edmund and Gladys (Schnable) Butterworth. Married– Emma Josefa Macalik, July 12, 1950. Children– Three. Married Maria del Pilar Menendez, August 12, 1994. Attended Philipps Universitat Marburg in Marburg-an Oder-Lahn, Germany.  Served in the U.S. Army, 1946-1947, 1951-1953.  Chief of the Publication…

  • BUTTERWORTH, EMMA JOSEFA MACALIK, 1928-2003

    Biography: Dancer; calligrapher. Born– about 1928, Vienna, Austria. Parents– Josef and Olga (Pomaisel) Macalik. Married– William E. Butterworth, July 12, 1950, came to the United States in 1955; naturalized in 1958. Children– Three. Member of the Corps de Ballet of the Vienna State Opera Company, 1936-1944. Attended the University of Vienna, 1945-1950; beginning in 1947,…

  • WARD, GLADYS G., 1909-2001

    Biography: Revenue agent; Teacher. Born– December 19, 1909, in Dadeville, Ala. Parents– Melton and Martha (Pitchford) Jenkins. Married– Vebron Ward on June 15, 1935. Children– Three. Education– Athens College for Young Women, A.B., 1931. Taught junior high school, 1931-1935. Agent, Alabama State Revenue Dept., 1951-1975. Member– Pen Women of America, Alabama Writers Conclave and Alabama…

  • WARREN, HOYT MITCHELL, 1917-2009

    Biography: Cooperative Extension Agent; Administrator; genealogist. Born– April 22, 1917, in Hackneyville, Ala. Parents– Thomas Jefferson and Sally Clyde (Barnett) Warren. Married– Allie Irene Blake, December 20, 1946. Children– Two. Married Alice M. Warren, 1997.  Education– Hackneyville High School; Auburn University, B.S., 1939; Cornell University, M.S., 1952; Ph.D., 1962.  Served in U.S. Army Air Corps, WWII.…

  • WARE, MARY, 1828-1915

    Born April 28, 1828– Madisonville, Tenn. Parents– George and Matilda Harris. Married– Horace Ware, Sept. 1863. Moved from Tennessee to Alabama. Contributed poetry to periodicals. Died May 25, 1915. Source: Biographical Dictionary of Southern Authors’ ancestry.com Joint Publication(s): Poems. Birmingham, Ala.; Birmingham Pub. Co., 1911.

  • BUTLER, MARY KIMBRO, 1923-

    Biography: Writer, journalist. Born– October 9, 1923, Crenshaw County. Parents– Jessie Wilson and Martha E. (Wallace) Kimbro. Married– Leon Broughton Butler, October 12, 1940. Children– Three. Education– Dozier High School, 1939. Wrote for the Tallassee Tribune, Wetumpka Herald, and the Alabama Journal. Also wrote commercials for radio. Honors; Stories won first place in Creative Writers…

  • REID, PANTHEA, 1940-

    Biography: Literary scholar; University professor. Born– September 11, 1940, Birmingham. Parents– John and Nell (Marshall) Reid. Married– George Broughton;  Children– One; married John Irwin Fischer, Nov. 29, 1976; children–one. Education– Randolph Macon College, 1958-1959; University of Alabama, B.A., 1962, M.A., 1963; University of North Carolina, Ph.D., 1971. Taught English at Virginia Polytechnic Institute 1967-1975; taught English at…

  • MARSHALL, BENNY

    See MARSHALL, BENNETT DAVIS

  • MARSHALL, BENNETT DAVIS, 1919-1969

    Biography: Sportswriter. Born– November 6, 1919, Vincent, Ala. Parents– Raymond and Nannie Davis. Married– Ruth Tucker. Children– Four. Education– Howard College (now Samford University).  Sportswriter and columnist for The Birmingham News and the Birmingham Age-Herald.  Honors– Alumnus of the Year for Journalism, Samford University, 1964; Alabama Sports Writer of the Year (11 times); Alabama Associated Press Sportworthy…

  • MARKS, HENRY SEYMOUR, 1933-2005

    Biography: Historian; college professor. Born– May 26, 1933, Greensboro, N.C. Parents– Benjamin and Florence (Hirsh) Marks. Married– Marsha Kass, June 8, 1965. Children– One. Education– B.A., University of Miami (Florida), 1955; M.A., University of Alabama, 1956; postgraduate work, University of Alabama, 1960-1964. Employed as teacher, University of Miami, Jacksonville State University, University of Alabama, Florida…

  • WYLIE, LAURA ISABELLE, 1858-1923

    Biography: Author. Born– Bayou Doque d’Inde, Mobile County, Ala. Parents– Thomas Polk and Augusta A. (Ellis) Moore. Married– Hart Wylie, June 4, 1877. Published descriptive and biographical sketches in periodicals.  Died February 15, 1923. Source: Geographical Dictionary of Southern Authors; Alabama Dept. of Archives and History. Publication(s): The Arcades. Atlanta; A.B. Caldwell, 1916. Ashes of…

  • ALBRITTON, WALTER MATTHEW, JR., 1932-

    Biography: Methodist clergyman. Born– March 24, 1932, Wetumpka. Parents– Walter Matthew and Caroline (Johnson) Albritton. Married– Louise Eudene Brown, June 1, 1952. Children– Five. Education– Auburn University, B.S., 1954; Emory University, B.D., 1953. Ordained a deacon in the United Methodist Church, 1956 and an elder, 1958. Pastored churches in Alabama and Florida, 1953-1954; 1958-1963. Edited…

  • BLISS, LORETTA ANN DEERING, 1895-1970.

    Biography: Born– 1895, New York, N.Y. Parents– John and Mary (O’Neill) Deering. Married– Andrew Richard Bliss, Jr., August 20, 1918. Education– Ursuline Academy, Hunter College, Cox College, and Columbia University. Served as vice president of the Women’s Auxiliary to the National Council of the Episcopal Church from the Diocese of Tennessee. Died January 8, 1970.…

  • BARNEY, HOWARD, 1912-2003

    Biography: Journalist, public relations executive. Born– September 14, 1912, Mobile. Parents– Oscar N. and Marian (Hunter) Barney. Married– Mary Bacon, October 31, 1936. Children– Four. Education– University of Missouri, Bachelor of Journalism, 1934. Served in the U.S. Navy, WWII. Worked for the Kansas City Journal Post, 1934-1935; Mobile Press Register, 1935-1943; Merchants National Bank of Mobile, 1943-1947. Founded Barney…

  • HELM, THOMAS WILLIAM, 1919-1993

    Biography: Radio announcer, editor, teacher. Born– May 3, 1919, in St. Augustine, Fla. Parents– Thomas William, Jr., and Grace (Spencer) Helm. Married–Dorothy Lorain Hunter, September 30, 1943.  Education– Birmingham Southern College. Served in US Navy, WWII; received a citation for bravery at Pearl Harbor. Served as radio announcer at WRNL, Richmond (Va.); WDLP, Panama City (Fla.); WSGN,…

  • McGIFFIN, LEE SHAFFER, 1908-1978

    Biography: Journalist; writer. Born–October 1, 1908, Delphi, Ind. Parents–Charles Barnes and Daisy Lee Lewis Shaffer.  Married–Norton McGiffin, July 6, 1937.  Children–one. Education– De Pauw University, 1927-29; Syracuse University; University of Alabama, B.A., 1931. Worked as reporter for Syracuse Post Standard, 1931-35;  Buffalo Evening News, 1935-37. Freelance writer after 1937; wrote short stories, children’s books, radio scripts.  Received New…

  • BRADLEY, VAN ALLEN, 1913-1984

    Biography: Journalist, book dealer. Born– August 24, 1913, Albertville. Parents– Van A. and Lula (Montgomery) Bradley. Married– Patricia Elaine Thompson, November 5, 1939. Children– Three. Married– Sharon Luedke, December 3, 1966. Children– One. Education– Harding College, 1930-1932; University of Missouri, B.J., 1933. Worked for the Nashville Tennessean (1934-35), Omaha Bee-News (1935-37), Chicago Herald Examiner, Chicago…

  • ALLEN, LEE NORCROSS, 1926-

    Biography: Historian, educator. Born– April 26, 1926, Shawmut. Parents– Leland Norcross and Dorothy (Whitaker) Allen. Married– Catherine Ann Bryant, August 24, 1963. Children– Two. Education– Auburn University, B.S., 1948, M.S., 1949; University of Pennsylvania, Ph.D., 1955. Served with U. S. Army, 1944-46.  Taught at Eastern Baptist College in St. Davids, Pa., 1952-1961;  at Samford University,…

  • ALLDREDGE, J. HADEN, 1887-1962

    Biography: Lawyer. Born– July 28, 1887, Brooksville. Parents– Patrick Griffin and Sophia (Haden) Alldredge. Married– Mildred Chilton, 1907 (died 1927). Children– Two. Married– Edna Eley, 1927. Education– Central Alabama Agricultural School during 1907; Jones Law School (Montgomery), LL.B. Taught for two years; traffic manager for a manufacturer for nine years; secretary and traffic manager for…

  • ALEXANDER, PAUL, 1955-

    Biography: Writer, playwright, stage director. Born– 1955, Birmingham. Education– University of Alabama, B.A., 1977; University of Iowa, Writer’s Workshop, M.F.A., 1979. Reporter for Time Houston Bureau, 1979-81. Published articles in many journals; closely associated with George and frequently published in Rolling Stone. Fellow of the Hoover Institute at Stanford, 2002.  Co-host of “Batchelder and Alexander”…

  • ARMSTRONG, STEPHEN W., 1950-

    Biography: University professor of education. Born– January 29, 1950, St. Louis, Mo. Parents– William F. and Mabel B. Armstrong. Married– Naomi, 1973. Children– One. Education– University of Central Florida, B.S. in psychology; University of Florida, M.Ed., 1974, Ph.D. in special education, 1981. Member of the faculty of North Georgia College, 1979-1982; Department of Special Education,…

  • COPELAND, MILES AXE, JR., 1916-1991

    Biography: Musician, espionage agent; political consultant, author. Born– July 16, 1916, Birmingham. Parents– Miles Axe and Leonore (Armstrong) Copeland. Married– Elizabeth Lorraine Adie, September 25, 1942. Children– Four. Worked as a jazz trumpeter and arranger  in the 1930’s; played with several leading bands including the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Served in the U.S. Army in World War II;…

  • ARMOUR, ROLLIN STELY, 1929-

    Biography: Historian of religion; university professor. Born– December 5, 1929, Miami, Fla. Parents– Thomas and Frankie (Calhoun) Armour. Married– Mary Anne Crum, May 30, 1957. Children– Three. Education– Baylor University, B.A., 1950; Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, B.D., 1953; Harvard University, S.T.M., 1956; Th.D., 1963.  U.S. Army Chaplain, 1953-55.  Taught at Stetson University, 1960-73; at Auburn University…

  • ANDREWS, MARY RAYMOND SHIPMAN, 1860-1936

    Biography: Writer. Born– April 2, 1860, Mobile. Parents– Jacob Shaw and Ann Louise (Gold) Shipman. Married– William Shankland Andrews (later justice of the New York state supreme court), December 31, 1884. Children– One. Education– local schools in Lexington, Ky.; studied at home with her father who was an Episcopal priest and later a bishop at…

  • BUSCH, FRANCIS XAVIER, 1879-1975

    Biography: Attorney. Born– May 9, 1879, Detroit, Mich. Parents– Francis X. and Carolyn (Van Buskirk) Busch. Married– Jeanette Morrision, 1903 (died 1912). Children– Four. Married– Jean Mapes Lucas, April 28, 1933.  Education– Illinois College of Law, LL.B., 1904, LL.M, 1905; DePaul University, LL.D., 1912. Admitted to the Bar, 1901; practiced as an attorney in Chicago, 1901-1954.…

  • BURNS, JEREMIAH M., 1887-1967.

    Biography: Educator; state representative. Born– September 3, 1887, Delmar, Winston County. Parents– William Riley and Rebecca (Lovett) Burns. Married– Nelsie Victoria Thomas, July 8, 1909. Children– Three. Education– West Alabama Agricultural School at Hamilton and G. R. C. College at Henderson, Tenn., graduating in 1904. Taught in the rural schools for ten years; then served…

  • BURNS, CRANFORD HERMAN, 1907-1996

    Biography: Educator. Born– July 1, 1907, Cullman. Parents– John Henry and Lexer (Grant) Burns. Married– Dorothy Reinstadier, August 27, 1936. Children– Two. Education– University of Alabama, B.S.(1936), M.A. (1941); Columbia University, Ed.D. (1948). Taught in Cullman County Schools, 1930-44;  principal of Jackson County High School in Scottsboro, 1944-45; director of guidance at the University of Alabama,…

  • BURKE, MALCOLM CLAYTON, JR., 1879-1963

    Biography: University professor. Born– Demopolis, July 8, 1879. Parents– Malcolm and Annie Burke. Education– University of Alabama, A.B., 1899; Harvard University, A.B., 1901; University of Munich, Ph.D., 1908. Taught Greek at the University of Alabama, 1901-1905, 1908-1917. 1st Lt., Corps of Interprs, WWI. Served in the U.S. Consular Service in Hamburg, Germany. Died March 20,…

  • BURKE, ARTHUR DEVRIES, 1893-1950

    Biography: University professor of dairy science, editor. Born– January 1893, Wheeling, W.Va. Parents– Thomas Carrol and Anna (Little) Burke. Married– Marguerite Oltcalt, February 1, 1921. Education– University of Wisconsin, B.S., 1916; Ohio State University, M.S., 1920, additional study, 1927-1929. Dairy inspector in Huntington, W.Va., 1916-1917; taught at Ohio State University, 1919-1920, Oklahoma A & M…

  • BURKART, FRANCES CAROLYN LEE, 1916-2007

    Biography: Teacher. Born– October 5, 1916, Hartselle. Parents– Chester Irvin and Lucia Davenport (Barcliff) Lee. Married– Carl Theodore Burkart. Children– Four. Education– Alabama College at Montevallo, degree in public school music, 1938. Taught in Hanceville for three years. Active in the Lutheran Woman’s Missionary League. Died February 9, 2007. Source: Mammy Barcliff’s Scrapbook; Obituary, Cullman…

  • BUNCE, WILLIAM HARVEY, 1903-2001

    Biography: Artist, writer. Born–August 27,  1903, Stillwater, N.Y. Parents–George H. and Emma Bunce.   Married-  Florence Navada McBryde, August 19, 1931. Education– Columbia University; New York School of Design.  Staff Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, WWII.  Supervising draftsman and artist on the TVA-WPA archaeological survey of the Chickamauga Basin and a participant in the National Writers Program that…

  • BULLOCK-WILLIS, VIRGINIA, 1878-1965

    Biography: Writer, tutor, interpreter. Born 1878– Fair Hill Plantation at Boligee, Greene County. Spent her childhood in Mobile and in Washington, D.C. Parents– James Madison and Anna Mary (Garrow) Bullock. Married– George Bullock-Willis, October 3, 1905.  Education– Private tutors; studied in Paris; George Washington University, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and post graduate study; American University,…

  • BULLARD, ROBERT LEE, 1861-1947

    Biography: Army officer. Born– January 15, 1861, Youngsboro. Parents– Daniel and Susan (Mizell) Bullard. Married– Rose Douglas Brabson (died 1921). Four children. Married– Ella Rieff Wall, 1927.   Education– Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama, B.S.; United States Military Academy, graduated 1885; Pennsylvania Military College, D.M.S. Commissioned First Lieutenant, 1892; served on the Mexican Border, in…

  • MAULDIN, WILLIAM BENJAMIN, 1899-1987

    Biography: Teacher, journalist. Born– August 7, 1899, Etowah County, Ala. Parents– Joseph M. and Delia L. (Moody) Mauldin. Married– Elsie Holland, July 31, 1926. Education– high school, 1923; junior college, Athens, Tenn., 1925; B.S., University of Alabama, 1940. Employed as teacher, Winston and Cullman County schools, 1925-1964; editor “The Mauldin News”; wrote a column for…

  • MATHIS, GERALD RAY, 1937-1981

    Biography: Historian; Professor of history. Born– April 2, 1937, Sanford, Miss. Parents– Paul M. and LaVerne (Morris) Mathis. Married– Mary Katherine Pugh, December 28, 1958. Children– Two. Education– A.A., Snead Junior College, 1957; B.A., Birmingham Southern College, 1958; M.Div., Duke University, 1962; University of Georgia; M.A., 1963; Ph.D., 1967. Employed as teacher, Snead Junior College,…

  • MATHEWS, MITFORD McLEOD, 1891-1985

    Biography: Lexicographer; editor, lecturer. Born– Jackson, Ala., February 12, 1891. Parents– James Waldrum and Frances Isabella McLeod. Married– Georgia Jane Garrett, August 7, 1919. Children– Two. Education– A.B., Southern University, 1915; A.M., University of Alabama, 1917; Ph.D., Harvard, 1936. U.S. Navy, WWI.  Employed as instructor, Scarritt-Morrisville (Mo.) College, 1915-1916; high school principal, Ala., 1919-1927; instructor,…

  • MASON, AUGUST HOWARD, 1895-1980

    Biography: College Professor; poet. Born– Columbus Grove, Okla., August 4, 1895. Parents– Franklin R. and Anna L. Campbell. Married– Bennie Hope Spinks, July 11, 1927. Children– One. Education– A.B., Ohio Wesleyan University, 1919; Ph.D., Universite de Paris, 1924. Flying cadet, WWI. Employed by Williamsport-Dickinson Seminary, Wilbraham Academy, Syracuse University, Howard College, 1925-35; University of Alabama,…

  • MASON, DAVID PIERCE, 1919-1994

    Biography: Historian; teacher;university professor. Born– November 19, 1919, Stockton, Baldwin County, Ala. Parents–Isaac Pierce Mason and Annie Serena Crosby Mason. Married– Nancy Higgins, March 8, 1943. Children–three.  Education– graduated from McCallie School, Chattanooga;  B.A., University of Alabama, 1941; graduate work, Vanderbilt University; M.Ed., Emory, 1950; Ed.D., University of Georgia, 1957.  Served in U.S. Army, WWII…

  • MARTIN, WILL IRVIN, 1871-1954

    Biography: Reporter, editor, newspaper columnist. Born– October 5, 1871, Peek’s Hill, Calhoun County, Ala. Parents– John T. and Emma C. (Finch) Martin. Education– University of Alabama, 1892. Employed by Gadsden Leader, 1892-95;  Gadsden Times, 1895; cast iron soil pipe company, Gadsden for two years, Chattanooga for one year; insurance company, Atlanta; managing editor, Gadsden Evening…

  • MARSHALL, JAMES WILLIAMS, 1882-1964

    Biography: Presbyterian clergyman. Born– Perdue Hill, Ala., May 29, 1882. Married– Marion Cannon. Education– B.A., B.D., M.A., Southwestern Presbyterian University; McCormick Seminary, Chicago. Ordained by the East Alabama Presbytery, October 1907. Employed as pastor of churches, Scotland, Junction City, Mt. Holly, and Camden, Ark.; Tuskegee and Montgomery, Florida, Chattahoochee, Panama City; superintendent of home missions,…

  • WHITAKER, ARTHUR PRESTON, 1895-1979

    Biography: Historian; College professor. Born– June 6, 1895, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Education– University of Tennessee, A.B., 1915; Harvard University, A.M., 1917, Ph.D., 1924; Rhodes Scholar to Oxford, 1917; Austin Fellow, Harvard, 1920-1921; studied at the Sorbonne, 1919. Taught at University of Tennessee; Simmons; New York University; Amherst College; Florida State College for Women; Vanderbilt; Western…

  • WELLS, OPAL B., 1912-1996

    Biography: Grocer. Born– July 30, 1912, in McKenzie, Ala. Parents– Herbert and Frances Hartley Bennett. Married– Loran H. Wells, July 2, 1928. Children– One. Managed grocery store for 30 years.  Died August 5, 1996. Source: Opal B. Wells, Red Level, Ala. Publication(s): The Light Within. Atwood, Tenn.; Elder S. T. Talley, 1974. Some of My…

  • WELLS, GLENN LAWRENCE, JR., 1941-

    Biography: Businessman. Born– 1941, in Ozark, Ala. Parents– Glenn Lawrence and Dorothy (McGee) Wells. Married– Gayle Brook in 1964. Children– Two. Married– Dean Faulkner in 1972. Education– University of Alabama, B.A.,1964;  M.A., 1968; University of Mississippi, Ph.D., 1975. English instructor at Murray State University, 1966-70; at the University of Mississippi, 1970-75; Northwest Mississippi Junior College, 1975-79.…

  • WELD, JOHN, 1905-2003

    Biography: Writer, producer. Born– February 24, 1905, in Birmingham, Ala. Parents– Harry Statham and Nellie (Farrow) Weld. Married– Katherine McElroy Paul, February 12, 1937. Education– Auburn University, 1921-1922. Reporter, New York American, Paris Times, New York World, New York Herald (Paris). Scenario writer, Universal Pictures, Columbia Pictures. Freelance writer, 1935-1942. Editor, Consolidated News of Consolidated…

  • WELCH, JOSEPH EDMUND, 1922-2004

    Biography: Professor of Physical Education. Born– December 4, 1922, in Selma, Ala. Parents– William Pressley and Lucile (Burt) Welch. Married– Edith Crockford, March 25, 1945. Children– Three. Education– University of Alabama, 1941-1943; University of North Carolina, B.A., 1944, M.A.; Springfield, M.Ed., 1947; Peabody, Ed.D., 1952. Physical director, YMCA, Vicksburg Miss.; Pensacola, Fla.; Atlanta, Ga. Taught…

  • WEEDEN, MARIA HOWARD, 1847-1905

    Biography: Poet; painter. Born– July 6, 1847, in Huntsville, Ala. Parents– William and Jane E. (Urquhart) Weeden.  Attended Huntsville Female Seminary and the Alabama Female Methodist College at Tuskegee (later Huntingdon College); private lessons with portrait painter William Frye.  Painted landscapes and Alabama wildflowers in watercolor; painted portraits, notably using African-American subjects.  Paintings were exhibited…

  • WALLS, SARA LOUISE, 1917-1997

    Biography: Editor; genealogist.. Born– September 10, 1917. Parents– Odie Clarke and Stella (Taylor) Walls. Education– University of Alabama, 1940. Chief clerk, Forestry Division, Gulf States Paper Co., Tuscaloosa, 1948-1954. Associate editor, News Bag Magazine, Tuscaloosa, 1954-1963; editor, 1963-. Editor, The Green Tree, Tuscaloosa, 1966-. Member UDC and DAR. Received award of excellence from Birmingham Association…

  • WALLER, GEORGE PLATT, 1889-1962

    Biography: Lawyer, diplomat. Born– September 7, 1889, in Montgomery, Ala. Parents– George Platt and Susan Theresa (Jones) Waller. Education– University of Virginia, LL.B., 1912. Principal of high school, Chilhowie, Va., 1913. Vice consul or consul for U.S. Department of State, 1913-1950, serving in Nova Scotia; Austria; Greece; Kobe, Japan; Bizerte, Tunisia; La Ceiba, Honduras; Dresden,…