Alabama Authors

Category: All

  • WALL, WILLIAM CARTER, JR. 1930-2009

    Biography: Engineer. Born– June 30, 1930, in Huntsville, Ala. Parents– William Cater and Marion Elizabeth (Terry) Wall. Married– Shirley Lenore Matzet, June 18, 1955. Children– Six. Education– Lafayette College, B.S., 1953; University of Oklahoma, M.A., 1971, M.B.A., 1975, Ph.D., 1978. Engineer, Allis-Chalmers, Milwaukee, 1953-1955; U.S. Army, 1955-1957. Redstone Arsenal, 1957-1981; Chief of Management data systems,…

  • CARLSON, WARNER W., 1913-1994.

    Biography: Chemist, educator. Born– November 2, 1913, Lincoln, Neb. Parents–William and Ollie H. Carlson. Married– Virginia Whiteside. Education– University of Nebraska, B.S., 1933, M.S., 1935; attended Iowa State University, 1935-1936; Ohio State University, Ph.D., 1939. Toulmin fellow at Ohio State University, 1937-1939; fellowship at the Mellon Institute of Industrial Research, Pittsburgh, 1939-1948. Employed by the…

  • CARLISLE, HORACE CALLAWAY, 1871-1957

    Biography: Office assistant, poet. Born– December 11,1871, Brundidge. Parents–Moses Napoleon and Ella B. Carlisle. Married–Vera Harris.  Children–two.   Taught in Alabama schools; principal of Center Point School;  aide in the U.S. Capitol Architect’s office for twenty-odd years.  Published many poems in the Congressional Record. Died November 27, 1957. Source: Files at Alabama Public Library Service. Publication(s): Poems of…

  • BRUNHOUSE, ROBERT LEVERE, 1908-1996

    Biography: Historian; University professor. Born– September 24, 1908, Mechanicsburg, Pa. Parents– Harry and Hattie (Altland) Brunhouse. Married– Mildred Adams, 1940. Education– Dickinson College, A.B., 1930; University of Pennsylvania, A.M., 1936, Ph.D., 1940. Taught history at Dickinson College, 1930-35, University of Pennsylvania, 1935-37; Elizabethtown (NJ) College, 1940-42; Drew University, 1942-68; University of South Alabama, 1968-78.   Member…

  • CARLISLE, CECIL ALLEN, 1892-1967

    Biography: Publicist, editor. Born– December 3, 1892, Griffin, Ga. Parents– Richard E. and Vara (Hightower) Carlisle. Married– Susan Cecile Bryan, January 15, 1924. Children– One. Education– Emory University, A.B., 1915. Publicity manager, American Cast Iron Pipe Company, 1915-1957. Editor of the Acipco Pipe Progress and the Acipco News. Member of the Alabama Historical Association, and the…

  • CARMER, CARL LAMSON, 1893-1976

    Biography: University professor, folklorist. Born– October 16, 1893, Cortland, N.Y. Parents– Willis Griswold and Mary (Lamson) Carmer. Married– Doris Gere, 1914; Married– Elizabeth Black, December 24, 1928. Education– Hamilton College, Ph.B., 1914, Ph.M., 1917; Harvard University, M.A.,1915. U.S. Army, WWI and WWII.  Taught at Syracuse University, 1915-16; the University of Rochester, 1919-21; University of Alabama, 1921-27;…

  • MOATES, MARIANNE MERRILL, 1942-

    Biography: Writer. Born– Andalusia, Ala., July 12, 1942. Parents– Walter Oliver and Mary Jim (Hilson) Merrill. Married– James Thomas Moates, Jr., June 2, 1959. Children– Four. Education– B.S., University of Alabama, 1975; graduate study, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Samford University. Employed by Steeley Enterprises, Birmingham, 1983; Power of Positive Students Foundation, 1983-1984; McDonnell Douglas Corporation,…

  • CAPOTE, TRUMAN, 1924-1984

    Biography: Writer; celebrity personality. Born– September 30, 1924, New Orleans, La. Parents–Archulus and Lillie Mae Persons;  adopted by his stepfather Joseph G. Capote. Education– Trinity School; St. John’s Academy in New York and the schools of Greenwich, Conn. Reared mostly by relatives in Alabama, New York and New England until the age of nine.  Began work sorting cartoons…

  • BURNETTE, OLLEN LAWRENCE, JR., 1927-

    Biography: Historian, educator, editor. Born– September 30, 1927, Bethel, N.C. Parents– Ollen and Eva E. (Highsmith) Burnette. Married– Elizabeth Tull, August 15, 1951. Children– Five. Married Jeanne A. MacRitchie, June 10, 2000.  Education– University of Richmond, B.A.; University of Virginia, M.A., 1948, Ph.D., 1952. U. S. Navy, 1945-47. Taught at Petersburg, Virginia, High School, 1948-1949,…

  • HARRELL, DAVID EDWIN, JR., 1930-

    Biography: Historian; professor of history. Born– February 22, 1930, in Jacksonville, Fla. Parents– David Edwin and Mildred (Lee) Harrell.  Married– Adelia Frances Roberts, September 7, 1954. Children–five. Education– David Lipscomb College, B.A., 1954; Vanderbilt University, M.A., 1958; Ph. D., 1962.  Taught at East Tennessee State University, 1961-1966; University of Oklahoma, 1966-1967; University of Georgia, 1967-1970;…

  • HARE, FRANCIS HUTCHESON, 1904-1983

    Biography: Attorney. Born– August 13, 1904, Lower Peach Tree, Wilcox County.  Parents– Crosland C. and Sally (Morrissette) Hare. Married– Isabelle Corr, January 25, 1930. Children– Two. Education– Auburn University, 1921-1922; U.S. Naval Academy, 1922-1923; University of Alabama, LL.B., 1927. Admitted to the State Bar in Alabama, 1927; practiced law in Birmingham for 57 years. After…

  • THOMPSON, WESLEY SYLVESTER, 1907-1978

    Biography: Clergyman, educator, writer. Born– June 14, 1907 in Marion Co. Parents– Lee R. and Sarah J. (Logan) Thompson. Married– Letha I. Jones, Dec. 12, 1929. Children– Two. Education– Southwestern State College, B.A.; Oklahoma University, M.A.; attended Freed Hardeman College, University of Alabama, and Abilene Christian College. A minister in the Church of Christ for…

  • BLASSINGAME, WYATT RAINEY, 1909-1985

    Biography: Reporter, teacher, writer. Born– February 6, 1909, Demopolis. Parents– Wyatt Childs and Maud (Lurton) Blassingame. Married– Gertrude Olsen, 1936 (died 1976); children–two.  Married Leonora Jeanne Toman. Education– Howard College, 1926-1928; University of Alabama, A.B., 1930, graduate work 1931-1933; New York University, 1951-1952. Military service–U.S.Navy, 1942-45.  Reporter for the Montgomery Advertiser, 1930-1931; teaching fellow at…

  • JOHNSON, JAMES RALPH SCOTT, 1922-1997

    Biography; Writer, illustrator. Born– May, 1922, Fort Payne, Ala. Parents– James Andres and Vera Sue (Small) Johnson. Married– Burdetta Faye Beebe, October 11, 1961. Education– Howard College, B.S., 1943. Served in the U.S. Marine Corps, 1943-1945; field executive for the Boy Scouts of America in Anniston, Ala., 1946-1951; U.S. Marine Corps, 1951-1964; retired as major,…

  • JAYNES, BESSIE WEBB, 1899-1944

    Biography: Poet, composer. Born– England. Parents– Francis and Amelia (Wheeler) Webb. Married– Charles B. Jaynes. Children–one.  Lived in Alabama after her marriage. Education– acquired in Chicago. Wrote music, lyrics, and poems, which were published in standard magazines and papers. One of the founders of the Alabama Poetry Society, 1929. Died June 16, 1944. Source: Anthology of…

  • CANTRELL, CLYDE HULL, 1906-2005

    Biography: Librarian. Born– Sept. 23, 1906, Caroleen, N.C. Parents– James Volney and Sarah Nancy Florence (Hull) Cantrell. Married– Ethel Marie Williams. Children– One. Education– University of North Carolina, A.B., 1933, A.M., 1936, M.S.L.S., 1937; post-graduate work at West Virginia University, 1941-1942; University of Illinois, Ph. D., 1960. Worked in various capacities in the libraries of …

  • CANNON, LEE FERRARA, 1918-2014

    Biography: University professor, home economist, television hostess. Born– October 21, 1918, Morgantown, W.Va. Parents–Emil and Philomena Purificato Ferrara. Married– Robert Y. Cannon, June 10, 1948. Children– Three. Education– West Virginia University, B.A., 1940; University of Wisconsin, M.S., 1944, postgraduate work, 1944-1948. High school home economics teacher in Osage, W.Va., 1941-1944; nutrition researcher in the School…

  • PANNELL, HENRY CLIFTON, 1897-1946

    Biography: Teacher, administrator, university professor. Born– July 24, 1897, Elmore County. Parents– William Henry and Emma Jeannette (Hodnet) Pannell. Married– Anne Thomas Gary, September 2, 1936. Children– Two. Education– Jacksonville State Normal College, 1915-1918; University of Alabama, B,A., 1922; A.M., 1925; Teachers College of Columbia University, Ph.D., 1933. Taught in elementary schools of Macon and…

  • BUTTERFIELD, MARVIN ELLIS, 1897-1985

    Biography: University professor. Born August 13,1897,  Davilla, Tex. Mother– Eva G. Doggett. Education– Simmons College, A.B.; University of Illinois, Ph.D.; studied at the University of Colorado, the University of Oklahoma and the State University of Iowa. Captain, U.S. Army Air Force, WWII. Professor of Spanish at the University of Alabama after 1938. Died December 1,…

  • BUTTS, CHARLES, 1863-1946

    Biography; Geologist.  Born– September 18, 1863, Portville, N. Y.  Parents– William and Eliza Jane (Southworth) Butts.  Married Mellye Arledge, November, 1902 (died 1907).  Married Ella Virginia Rickles Pearson, November 30, 1909.  Education–Alfred University, B.S., 1899; M.S., 1900.  Employed by the United States Geological Survey, 1901-1933; by the Virginia Geological Survey, 1933-46.  An authority on the…

  • SAMPEY, JOHN RICHARD, 1863-1946

    Biography: Clergyman, educator, seminary president. Born– Sept. 27, 1863, at Fort Deposit, Ala. Parents– James L. and Louisa Zilpha (Cochran) Sampey. Married– Annie Renfroe, Sept. 16, 1886 (died 1925); Children–five. Married Ellen Wood, 1926.   Education– Howard College, A.B., 1882; Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, B.D., 1885.  Ordained a Baptist clergyman, 1885. Taught at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary 1885-1943,…

  • MALLORY, KATHLEEN MOORE, 1879-1954

    Biography: Teacher; denominational executive. Born– January 24, 1879, Summerfield, Dallas County, Ala. Parents– Hugh Shepherd Darby and Jacqueline Louisa (Moore) Mallory. Education– A.B., Goucher College, 1902. Employed as teacher, Demopolis; superintendent, Women’s Missionary Union work, Selma Association, 1907; corresponding secretary of Alabama Woman’s Missionary Union, 1909-1912; corresponding secretary of the Woman’s Missionary Union, Southern Baptist…

  • MANLY, BASIL, JR., 1825-1892

    Biography; Clergyman; seminary professor; denominational leader.  Born December 19, 1825, Edgefield County, South Carolina.  Parents–Basil and Sarah Murray Rudulph Manly. Married– Charlotte Elizabeth Whitfield, April 28,1852 (died 1867) ; children–eleven.  Married Henrietta Summers Hair, June 19, 1869; children–six.  Education–  University of Alabama, B.A., 1844; Newton Theological Institute; Princeton Theological Seminary, B.D., 1847.  Ordained by First Baptist Church,…

  • MANLY, JOHN MATTHEWS, 1865-1940

    Biography: Literary historian and scholar; University Professor of English literature. Born– Sumter County, Ala., September 2, 1865. Parents– Charles and Mary (Matthews) Manly. Education– Furman University, 1883; A.M., 1889; Harvard University, Ph. D., 1900. Military intelligence service, WWI, 1917-1919. Employed by Brown University, 1884-1898; University of Chicago, 1898-1933. Specialized in the study of early English literature; best…

  • BARNETT, CORA CHASTANG, 1896-1992

    Biography: Clerical worker;  businesswoman.  Born– September 27, 1896, Citronelle. Parents– Cyrus and Emma Estella (Hester) Chastang. Married– Stewart R. Barnett, August 31, 1924. Children– Three. Education– public schools of Citronelle; Huffstetler Business College. Secretary for Mobile Tractor Company; clerk for Southern Pacific Railroad in New Orleans; chief clerk for Central of Georgia Railroad in New Orleans;…

  • COOK, JAMES GRAHAM, 1925-1966

    Biography: Reporter; college English instructor. Born– February 23, 1925, Fayette. Parents– Alfred McKelvey and Bess (Graham) Cook. Married– Betsy Blanton, 1957. Education– University of Southern California, A.B.; San Francisco State College, M.A. Military service; U.S. Navy, 1942-45. Worked as a reporter for the United Press in Miami; the Commercial Appeal in Memphis; the New York…

  • COOK, FESTUS MALACHI, 1895-1956

    Biography: Educator; college president. Born– January 16, 1895, Birmingham. Parents– Rufus Alexander Cook and Vashti Rosala Edwards Cook. Married– Delene Mims, August 28, 1924. Children– One. Education– Birmingham Southern College, B.A., 1925; University of Alabama, M.A., 1931. Served as principal of Fairfield High School;  became professor of economics and sociology at the State Teachers’ College…

  • COULTER, HAROLD SYLVESTER, 1914-1977

    Biography: Businessman; Newspaper columnist; local historian. Born– August 12, 1914, Phenix City. Parents– Harrison T. and Vera Coulter. Married– Barbara Mary Stewart, December 20, 1940. Children– Two. Military service:  U.S. Navy, World War II; awarded the Cross of Military Service. Official Russell County historian. Wrote column “Garden Tips” beginning in the 1930’s and beginning on June…

  • COUCH, ROBERT HILL, 1937-2013

    Biography: Educator; rehabilitation counselor; consultant. Born– March 20, 1937, Winfield, Marion County. Parents– Ferman Hill and Bertha (Milner) Couch. Married– Helen Gibbs Daniel, March 11, 1959. Children– Three. Education– Attended Florence State College (now University of North Alabama), 1955-1957; Alabama College at Montevallo (now the University of Montevallo), A.B., 1960, M.A.T., 1962; further study at New York University and…

  • CANNON, JAMES MONROE, III, 1918-2011

    Biography: Reporter, editor; political aide. Born–February 26, 1981, Sylacauga. Parents:  James M. and Anne Hollingsworth Cannon.  Married–Cherie Dawson, May 17, 1952.  Children– two.  University of Alabama, B.S., 1939.  Served in the US Army, World War II.  Reporter for the Potsdam (N.Y.) Herald-Recorder, the Gloverville (N.Y.) Leader-Republican, and the Baltimore Sun.  Contributing editor for Time magazine,…

  • CAMPBELL, WILLIAM EDWARD MARCH, 1893-1954

    Biography: Writer; business executive; art collector. Born– September 18, 1893, Mobile. Parents– John and Suzy (March) Campbell. Education– Studied at Valparaiso University, 1913-1914; studied law at the University of Alabama, 1915-1916. Served In the US Marines in World War I;  wounded and gassed and never completely recovered from his wounds. Received the Navy Cross, the…

  • CAMPBELL, LESLIE CAINE, 1932-

    Biography: Professor of pharmacy and university administrator. Born– June 5, 1932, New Orleans, La. Parents– George Alexander and Nell Ruble Campbell.  Married– Bettye Bryan, June 10, 1961.  Children– two. Education– Mississippi State University, B.S., 1954; University of Mississippi, M.A., 1964, Ph.D., 1967. U.S. Navy, 1955-58.Taught at the University of Tennessee at Martin and at Arkansas College; Auburn…

  • CAMPBELL, DAVIS WRIGHT, SR., 1889-1976

    Biography: Grocer. Born November 29, 1889.  Parents– Nora and George Campbell. Married–Flora Beach, November 14, 1914 (died 1928). Children–one. Married–Eva Winn, 1939. –  Education–Georgia Military Academy; Graduated from Mercer University; attended Eastman Business College in Poughkeepsie, New York. Manager of the Chattahoochee Grocery Company of Columbia; established a wholesale grocery business in Hollywood, Fla., worked as a sales…

  • BURGHARD, AUGUST, 1901-1987

    Biography: Journalist; advertising executive. Born– August 19, 1901, Opelika. Parents– August and Margaret (Meadors) Burghard. Married– Lois Baker. Children– Two. Education– Attended Mercer University, 1921-1925; Northwestern University, 1937-1939; Emory University, 1941; University of North Carolina, 1942-1943. Began his career with the Ft. Lauderdale News; worked with the Ft. Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce; president of August…

  • CAMPBELL, CHARLES LAWTON, 1896-1980

    Biography: Playwright and advertising writer. Born–April 17, 1896, Montgomery. Parents– Charles L. and Myrtle (Booth) Campbell. Grew up on Sayre Street in Montgomery. Education– Attended Lanier High School; Princeton University, 1916. Worked as a reporter for the Journal of Commerce; served in the U.S. Army during both World Wars, holding the rank of colonel in…

  • CAMBRON, JAMES WILLIAM, 1920-1982

    Biography: Printer; archaeologist. Born– May 6, 1920, Dellwood, N.C. Parents– John Franklin and Carrie (Campbell) Cambron. Married– Doris Damron, March 9, 1945. Children– Two. Education– Public schools of Buncombe, N.C.  Military service WWII. Employed in the printing business. Active as an avocational archaeologist. Served as president of the local archaelogical society chapter and of the…

  • CALVERT, WILLIAM JONATHAN, JR., 1901-1987

    Biography: Literary scholar, University professor, administrator. Born– July 3, 1901, Pittsboro, N.C. Married– Palmer Daugette. Children– One. Education– Virginia Military Institute, A.B., 1920; Harvard University, A.M, 1922, Ph.D., 1929. Taught at Washington & Lee University, 1922-1923, at University of California at Los Angeles, 1924-1926; Williams College, 1928-1930; Jacksonville State University, 1933-1973, where he served as…

  • CALLOWAY, ABRAM ARTEMUS, 1883-1948

    Biography: Journalist, writer, editor. Born– October 1, 1883. Parents– Arigan Elia and Mary McMillian Calloway. Married– Effie Pierce, October 21, 1914. Worked as reporter and editor for the Birmingham Ledger and the Birmingham News.  Wrote about 400 stories, novelettes, and serials, published in  Hollands, Country Gentleman, All Story, the Chicago Tribune, and other magazines and newspapers. Wrote more…

  • SAIA, CLAUDE VINCENT, 1931-2011

    Biography: Educator, coach. Born– Nov. 13, 1931, Birmingham, Ala. Parents– Paul and Jennie (Pilleteri) Saia. Married– Inez Pitts. Children– Four. Education– Alabama Polytechnic Institute, B.S., M.Ed. Taught at John Carroll High School, 1956-1963; coached at Auburn University, 1963-1975; director of recreation at Auburn University, 1976-1996.  Died January 3, 2011. Source: Claude Saia, Auburn University. Obituary,…

  • SAHAG, LEON MARR, 1889-1976

    Biography: Engineer, educator. Born– Aug. 28, 1889, at Tabriz, Iran. Parents– Marr and Elizabeth (Petrosian) Sahag. Married– Lottie Suitt, June 3, 1919. Children– Three. Education– University of North Carolina, B.S.; University of Michigan; Alabama Polytechnic Institute, M.S. Employed by Dupont Powder Co., Babcock and Wilcox Co., and Timpkin Roller Bearing Co.; professor, Alabama Polytechnic Institute,…

  • BRITTIN, NORMAN AYLSWORTH, 1906-2004

    Biography: University professor. Born Sept. 9, 1906,  Syracuse, N.Y. Parents– Lewis J. and Grace (Aylsworth) Brittin. Married– Florence Mellor, March 1, 1929 (died 1951). Children– Two. Married– Ruth Harris Lowe, 1951. Education– Syracuse University, A.B., 1927, A.M., 1930; post-graduate work at the University of California, 1934-1937; University of Washington, Ph.D., 1947.    Taught English at the…

  • EDMONDS, HENRY MORRIS, 1878-1960

    Presbyterian clergyman. Born– November 23, 1878, York, Sumter County, Al. Parents– William and Alice Frances (Morris) Edmonds. Married– Mary Armstrong Fleming, April 30, 1907. Children– Five. Education– Marengo Military Institute, Demopolis;  University of Tennessee, A.B., 1899; Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky., B.D., 1907. Ordained to the Presbyterian ministry, 1907. Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Montgomery,…

  • DOWLING, HERNDON GLENN, 1921-2015

    Biography: Biologist, University professor, editor, museum curator. Born– April 2, 1921, Cullman. Parents–Herndon and Ada Camp Dowling. Married Margaret Purcell, 1943 (divorced, 1962); children–four.  Married Madlyn O’Neill, 1968 (died 2000); married Janann Jenner, 2001. Education– University of Alabama, B.S., 1942; University of Florida, M.S., 1948; University of Michigan, Ph.D., 1951. Taught at the University of…

  • CIRLOT, FELIX LOSSING, 1901-1956

    Biography: Episcopal clergyman. Born–August 3, 1901, Mobile. Parents– Felix A. and Annie (Sibley) Cirlot. Education– Graduate of Spring Hill College. Died March 30, 1956. Source: Files at Alabama Department of Archives and History. Publication(s): Apostolic Succession and Anglicanism; a Defense of Anglican Orders and Catholicity. Lexington, Ky.; Author, 1946. Apostolic Succession at the Bar of…

  • BROWNELL, BLAINE ALLISON, 1942-

    Biography: Historian; University professor; academic administrator. Born– November 12, 1942, Birmingham. Parents– Blaine, Jr. and Annette (Holmes) Brownell. Married– Mardi Taylor, August 21, 1964. Children– Two. Education– Washington and Lee University, B.A., 1965; University of North Carolina, M.A., 1967, Ph.D., 1969. Assistant professor, Purdue University, 1969-1974; worked at University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1974-1990; served…

  • BROWNING, AL, 1950-2002

    Biography: Sportswriter. Born–Brewton, Al. Parents– Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Browning. Married– Stacy Browning.  Children–two. Education– Attended Snead State Junior College; University of Alabama, 1973. Sports writer for The Boll Weevil; worked for Standard-Coosa-Thatcher in Chattanooga; sports writer and sports editor for the Tuscaloosa News, 1977-83; sportswriter and editor for the Knoxville (Tennessee) News-Sentinel; free-lance…

  • BEARDEN, BOBBY RAY, 1927-1989

    Biography:   School administrator. Born– April 25, 1927, Jefferson County. Parents– Elisha Roberson and Anna Louella Williams Bearden. Married. Children– Two. Education– Attended the University of Alabama; graduated from Howard College and George Peabody College. Worked as a carpenter’s helper, grocery clerk, milkman, bookkeeper, census-taker, floorwalker, postal clerk, park supervisor and public school principal. Served as a radio…

  • BATHURST, JAMES ELMER, 1898-1978

    Biography: College professor; Administrator. Born– June 10, 1898, Alton, Kan. Parents– William Henry and Clara Amelia Smith Bathurst. Married–Ora Belle Bathurst, 1919. Children– Two. Education– McPherson College, A.B., 1922; Iowa State University, A.B., Ph.D., 1926. Postdoctoral fellowship and Rockefeller Foundation grant, 1938-1939. Served as president of Wessington Springs Junior College, 1923-1925; assistant director of the…

  • BANISTER, GARY L., 1948-

    Biography: Park director. Born– February 14, 1948, Summerville, Ga. Parents– Paul K. and Virginia (Abrams) Banister. Married– Trudy Hagan, August 20, 1971. Children– One. Education– University of Alabama, B.S., 1972. Worked as an auditor for Consultant Services Company of Salisbury, N.C.; recreation director at Camilla, Ga.; park and recreation director at Geneva, Ala.; federal grant administrator,…

  • AYERS, HARRY MELL, 1885-1964

    Biography: Editor, publisher. Born– December 18, 1885, Anniston. Parents– Thomas Willburn and Minnie (Skelton) Ayers. Married– Edel Ytterboe, September 28, 1921. Children– Two. Education– Attended Jacksonville State Normal School. Served in the U.S. Army, WWI. Bought the Anniston Hot Blast  and the Evening Star in 1913 and merged them as the Anniston Star, of which he…