Alabama Authors

Category: All

  • SIMMONS, EDWARD N., 1914-2005

    Biography: Aviator, airlines employee. Born–November 25, 1914, Birmingham. Parents–Herbert and Ossie Coley Simmons. Married–Martha Mae Terry. Children–two. Education– graduated from Southern Airways Flying School. Flying instructor at Birmingham Southern College; flight instructor during World War II for Army Air Forces; worked for Transcontinental, Western, and Trans-World Airlines. Retired from TWA after 30 years as a pilot.…

  • BASS, S. JONATHAN

    Biography: Historian; professor of history.  Born:  Fairfield.  Parents;  Samuel and Clara Faye Bass.  Married–Jennifer Synott, July 20, 1992.  Education:  B.A., University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1986; M.A., Uniiversity of Alabama, 1990; Ph.D., University  of Tennessee, 1996.  Sports information director at Birmingham-Southern, 1986-1990. Joined the Samford Faculty in 1997; became Professor and Chair of the Department…

  • FELKENES, GEORGE THEODORE, 1930-2016

    4University professor of criminal justice.  Born– November 19, 1930, Dayton, Ohio.  Parents–Theodore and Mildred M. Felkenes. Married– Sandra Weeks Hartness, March 24, 1961. Education– University of Maryland, B.S., and J.D.; California State University at Long Beach, M.A., 1968; University of California at Berkeley, D.Crim., 1970. Served as an attorney and investigator for Federal Trade Commission,…

  • FELGAR, ROBERT, III, 1944-

    Biography; Literary scholar; university professor. Born– February 7, 1944, Indianapolis, Ind. Parents– Robert and Dorothy Felgar. Married– Cynthia Sass, May 13, 1965. Children– Two. Education– Occidental College, B.A., 1966; Duke University, M.A., 1968; Ph.D., 1970. Taught at Duke, 1969-1970; Virginia Wesleyan College, 1970-1971; Jacksonville State University, 1971-. Source: Robert Felgar, III. Jakcsonville State University website…

  • FEIDELSON, CHARLES N., 1886-1967

    Attorney, judge, editor. Born– July 23, 1886, New York City. Parents– Max and Rachel (Haddas) Feidelson. Married– Adeline Brady Falk, November 15, 1916. Children– Three. Education– University of Georgia, A.B., 1906; LL.B., 1908. Admitted to the Georgia Bar, 1908. Practiced law in Savannah; judge of juvenile court, 1915-1919; editor of the Wilmington (N.C.) Star, 1919-1921;…

  • FARMER, HALLIE, 1891-1960

    Historian; college professor, dean. Born– August 13, 1891, Anderson, Ind. Parents– Edgar William and Elizabeth Modlia Farmer. Education– Terre Haute Normal School (Indiana State University), B.S., 1917; University of Wisconsin, M.A., 1922; Ph.D., 1927;  Taught in public schools in Madison County, Muncie and Crawfordsville, Ind.; Ball Teachers College, 1917-1927; Alabama State College for Women, 1927-1956, serving…

  • FARISH, HUNTER DICKINSON, 1897-1945

    Historian; researcher. Born– September 12, 1897, Montgomery. Parents– James Hunter and Sallie (Dickinson) Farrish. Education– Princeton University, B.S., 1922; Harvard University, M.A., 1926; Ph.D., 1936. Served as assistant principal Choudrant Agricultural School, 1923-1924; taught at Westminister College, 1926-1937; Director of the Department of Research and Records of Colonial Williamsburg, 1937-44. General editor, Williamsburg Historical Studies; Member…

  • EVERSOLE, FINLEY TRAWEEK, 1935-

    Clergyman, editor; organization executive. Born– December 24, 1935, Birmingham. Parents– Findley Pratt and Frieda Mae (Traweek) Eversole. Married– Mary Ann Knox, June 8, 1958. Education– Birmingham Southern College, A.B., 1956; Vanderbilt University, B.D., 1958; Union Graduate School, Ph. D., 1976.   Methodist clergyman; literary editor, Motive Magazine, 1959-1961; editor of Interseminarian and Communique, director of the interseminary movement…

  • ELOVITZ, MARK HARVEY, 1938-

    Rabbi, lawyer. Born– May 20, 1938, Pittsburgh, Pa. Parents– Meyer David and Lillian (Werner) Elovitz. Married– Helen Arna Altheim, October 13, 1963. Children– Three. Education– New York University, B.A., 1960; Ph.D., 1973; Jewish Theological Seminary of America, M.H.L., 1962; Cumberland School of Law, J.D., 1977. Became a rabbi in 1964. Served as a chaplain in…

  • ELLIOTT, IDA WALLIS, 1867-1961

    Teacher, travel agent, Born– November 1, 1867, Newbern. Parents– Charner and Isabel (Vann) Wallis. Married– James Thomas Elliott, June 27, 1888. Children– Three. Education– Presbyterian College in Talladega; Normal College, Lebanon, Ohio. Taught in city schools of Talladega. Founded Elliott Tours, a successful travel agency. Founded the Elliott Museum, exhibiting items she had collected in…

  • EDWARDS, CHRISTINE WILLIAMS, 1914-1977

    Artist. Born– June 14, 1914, Clay County, Tenn. Parents– Champ Ferguson and Mary Ellen Donaldson Williams. Married– Thomas Edwards. Children– Two. Education– Tennessee Technical Institute. President of Athens P.T.A., 1950. Died May 21, 1977. Source: Jacket of The Lure and Lore of Limestone County; ancestry.com Publication(s): The Donaldsons of Middle Tennessee. Athens, Ala.; Edwards, 1972.…

  • EAVES, RICHARD GLEN, 1932-2016

    Historian; University professor, college dean. Born– November 20, 1932, Louisville, Miss. Parents–James Tildon and Lillian Lee Haggard Eaves.  Married–Dorothy Ann Green, June 19, 1959. Children–one. Education– Mississippi State University, B.S., 1953; M.A.; Peabody College, M.A., 1957; University of Alabama, M.A.,  Ph,D., 1970. Taught at Dana Jr. High School in San Diego, 1956-1957; professor and Dean…

  • EARLY, LOUISE HAYES, 1920-2004

    Postal clerk, nurse. Born– April 6, 1920, Brookwood. Parents– Luther Latham and Amie Estelle (Collins) Hayes. Married– Dewey Willard Early, March 29, 1938. Children– Two. Education– dental hygenist program of the University of Alabama in Birmingham, 1932; certification for the Chicago School of Nursing, 1953. Employed as a clerk for U.S. Selective Service, 1940-1943; clerk…

  • DUNCAN, LUTHER NOBLE, 1875-1947

    Biography: High school teacher, agriculture extension service official, college president. Born– October 14, 1875, Russellville. Parents– Thomas Fulford and Margaret S. (Hargett) Duncan. Married– Annie Elizabeth Smith, February 26, 1902. Children– Three. Education– Alabama Polytechnic Institute, B.S., 1900; M.S., 1907; graduate study at the University of Tennessee and the University of Illinois.  Taught agriculture in…

  • DUNCAN, BENJAMIN DILLARD, 1927-

    Biography: Businessman, theatrical director, editor; writer. Born– November 8, 1927, Birmingham. Education– University of New Mexico, B.A.; Christ Church College of Oxford University, M.A. Served in the U.S. Army, 1946; director of Collett, Dickenson, Pearce and Partners (advertising firm) in London, -1967; director of Cambridge (England) Theatre Company; publications editor for the National Theatre, London. Awarded…

  • DUGGAR, JOHN FREDERICK, 1868-1945

    Biography: Agricultural scientist; professor of agriculture; administrator and editor. Born– August 24, 1868, Faunsdale. Parents– Reuben Henry and Margaret Louisa (Minge) Duggar. Married– Frances Ambrose Camp, June 17, 1891. Children– Six. Education– Southern University at Greensboro, B.S., 1887; Mississippi A & M College, M.S., 1888; additional study at Columbian University (now George Washington University), Cornell, and…

  • DUGGAR, BENJAMIN MINGE, 1872-1956

    Biography: Botanist, university professor. Born– September 1, 1872, Gallion. Parents– Reuben Henry and Margaret Louisa (Minge) Duggar. Married– Marie L. Robertson, October 16, 1901. Children– Five. Married– Elsie Rest, June 6, 1927. Children– One. Education– University of Alabama, 1887-89; Mississippi Agricultural and Mechanical College, B.S. (First Honors), 1891; Alabama Polytechnic Institute, M.S., 1892; Harvard University,…

  • DUFFEE, MARY GORDON, 1844-1930

    Biography: Writer. Born– 1844, Tuscaloosa. Parents– Matthew and Martha (Gillespie) Duffee. Education– Attended Tuscaloosa Female Seminary and private schools in New York City. Travelled frequently between Tuscaloosa, where her father was proprietor of the Washington House Tavern, and Blount Springs in Blount County, where he owned the Duffee House, a resort hotel. Acted as hostess at the Duffee…

  • DUBOIS, ROCHELLE LYNN HOLT, 1946-

    Biography: College instructor, artist, editor, publisher. Born– March 17, 1946, Chicago. Parents– Russell Thomas and Olga (Kochink) Holt. Education– University of Illinois at Chicago Circle, B.A., 1967; University of Iowa, M.F.A., 1970; Columbia Pacific University, Ph.D., 1980. Taught at Morningside College, 1970-1973; Rust College, 1973-1974; Mississippi Industrial College, 1974-1975; Daniel Payne College, 1975. Co-owner and…

  • DuBOSE, JOHN WITHERSPOON, 1836-1918

    Biography: Cotton planter, historian, newspaper journalist, editor. Born– March 5, 1836, Society Hill, Darlington County, S.C.; moved to Marengo County with his family in 1850.  Parents– Kimbrough Cassels and Elizabeth Boykin (Witherspoon) DuBose. Never married. Education– Dayton Classical Academy; one term at South Carolina College, 1854; studied at home with private tutors. Successful cotton planter in…

  • DuBOSE, HORACE MELLARD, 1858-1941

    Biography: Methodist clergyman; bishop. Born– November 7, 1858, Choctaw County. Parents– Hezekiah and Amanda (Hawkins) Du Bose. Married– Rosa Chaney, December 6, 1882. Married– Gertrude Vaughn Amis, 1899. Children– Six. Education– Attended Waynesboro Academy in Mississippi; also taught by languages and classics tutors. Licensed to preach in the Methodist Episcopal Church, 1876; ordained, 1879. Served as…

  • DOZIER, ORION THEOPHILUS, 1848-1925

    Biography: Physican, inventor; poet. Born– August 18, 1848, Glenalter, Ga. Parents– Thomas Henry and Martha Stearns (Davie) Dozier. Married– Elizabeth Powers, April 30, 1874. Children– Five. Education–Eufaula Male Academy;  Atlanta Medical College, M.D., 1874; further study in the medical department of Illinois University. Member Company A., 2nd Regiment, Georgia Volunteers, CSA.  Began the practice of medicine…

  • DOOLEY, VINCENT JOSEPH, 1932-

    Biography: Football coach. Born– September 4, 1932, Mobile. Parents– William Vincent and Nellie Agnes (Stauter) Dooley, Married– Barbara Anne Meshad, 1960. Children– Three. Education– Alabama Polytechnic Institute, B.A., 1954; M.A., 1963. Served as assistant football coach, Auburn, 1956-1963; head coach at the University of Georgia, 1963. Member and president of the Georgia Historical Society. Trustee…

  • DODD, WYNELLE S., 1922-1994

    Biography: Historical researcher. Born– May 5, 1922.  Atlanta, Ga. Married– Lee P. Dodd, November 23, 1939. Children– Two. Living in Montgomery, 1959. Civilian employee at Maxwell Air Force Base.  Died February 18, 1994. Source: The Birmingham News, October 21, 1979; ancestry.com Joint_Publication(s): The Civil War in Winston County, Alabama, “The Free State.”  Adapted from Annals…

  • DIXON, FRANK MURRAY, 1892-1965

    Biography: Attorney; 40th governor of Alabama. Born– July 25, 1892, Oakland, Calif. Parents– Frank and Launa (Murry) Dixon. Married– Juliet Jolly Perry, November 3, 1920. Children– Two. Education– Phillips Exeter Academy; Columbia University; University of Virginia, LL.B.  Admitted to the bar and joined the Frank S. White Law Firm  in Birmingham, 1917; managed White’s campaign for the U.…

  • STANLEY, CASSIUS MILLER, 1878-1968

    Biography: Pharmacist, journalist. Born– September 9, 1878 in Jeffersonville, Ill. Parents– Isaac Henry and Mary Frances (Trussell) Stanley. Married– Martha Cousins Greet on Dec. 7, 1905. Children– Three. Education– Illinois College, Ph.B. Registered pharmacist in various Illinois cities; reporter for Birmingham Age-Herald and other papers, 1901-1922; associate editor Mobile Register, Mobile News-Item, Montgomery Advertiser, Florence…

  • DICKINSON, CHARLES HENRY, 1857-1938

    Biography: Congregational clergyman. Born– December 21, 1857, West Springfield, Mass. Parents– Henry Kirke White and Angeline (Dunham) Dickinson. Married– Mary Lord Thorn, January 20, 1886. Children– Two. Education– Amherst College, B.A., 1881; Yale Divinity School, B.D., 1884; graduate work at Yale, 1884-1889; an honorary D.D., 1903. Organized a Congregational ministry in 1885 and served as…

  • DICKINSON, ARTHUR TAYLOR, JR., 1925-1977

    Biography: Librarian. Born– December 5, 1925. Montgomery. Parents– Arthur Taylor and Ruby Marie (Brown) Dickinson. Married– Marjorie Faye Sutton, June 14, 1954. Children– Two. Education– Huntingdon College, B.A., 1953; University of Chicago, M.A., 1957. Worked as clerk for the Midwest Inter-Library Center in Chicago, 1953-1954; Mansfield, Ohio Public Library, 1954-1977, serving as a reference librarian,…

  • DELPAR, HELEN VICTORIA, 1936-2018

    Biography: Historian; University professor. Born– May 10, 1936, New York, N.Y. Parents– Nicholas and Delores (Ricaurte) Delpar. Education– Rutgers University, B.A., 1957; New York University, M.A., 1961; Columbia University, Ph.D., 1967. Taught at Indiana State University, 1967-1969; Florida State University’s Canal Zone Branch, 1969-1973; visiting professor at Ohio Wesleyan University, 1973-1974; University of Alabama, 1974-2006. …

  • DEDERER, JOHN MORGAN, 1951-

    Biography: Writer, editor. Born– January 14, 1951, Fort Meade, Md. Parents– Douglas Morgan and Evelyn (Mueller) Dederer. Married– Melissa. Children– Two. Education– University of South Florida, B.A., 1980; M.A., 1982; University of Alabama, Ph.D., 1988.  Served in the U.S.Army, 1974-77. Visiting scholar at Brown University. Employed by PanAmerican Airways, Aerospace Division, British West Indies, 1968-1969;…

  • DEAVER, MARY JO BLAIR, 1938-

    Biography: Music teacher; composer. Born– June 14, 1938, Coleman, Texas. Parents– Elmer Joe and Edna Erle (McCorkle) Blair. Married– Frank Deaver, August 22, 1957. Children– Two. Education– Sam Houston State University, B.S., 1959; M.A., 1960; University of Alabama, Ed.S., 1974; additional graduate study at the Universities of Oklahoma and Oregon. Taught voice and piano privately…

  • BROWN, DONALD, 1936-

    Biography; Journalist; author; novelist.  Education; Birmingham-Southern College, 1958. Married–Hannah Harman.  Children–five.  Reporter at Birmingham News; editor, Birmingham Magazine; executive editor Florence Times-Daily; executive editor Tuscaloosa News. Taught journalism courses in the College of Communications at the University of Alabama.  Member and leader in Rotary Club. Publications; Gruesome: A Novel Drawn from True Crime.  Tuscaloosa:  Borgo…

  • BAILEY, DOUGLAS FIELDS

    See Bailey, William Fields

  • BAILEY, WILLIAM FIELDS, 1912-1987

    Biography; Journalist; novelist. Born– June 23, 1912, Dothan.   Parents; Whack Hill and Willie Baker Bailey.  Married–Louie Liddell Herzberg.  Children–two. Education–attended the University of Alabama and the University of Missouri.  Worked for newspapers in Dothan and in Marianna, Florida.  Worked for an insurance business.  Student of Hudson Strode at the University of Alabama; worked with Strode…

  • LITTLETON, GEORGE

    Biography; Communications and marketing specialist; writing instructor.  Married–Dorothy.  Children–two.  Worked as a technical writer and editor, 1981-92; at Auburn University as writing instructor and communications specialist after 1982. Source; From Ramer to Rutgers. Publications; From Ramer to Rutgers:  The Education of Milly Cowles. Montgomery: Donnell Group, 2013.

  • CURRY, ADRIAN RODERICK, 1908-1991

    Biography: Civilian worker for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  Born– Toinette, Ala., May 18, 1968. Parents– John Earle and Lois Genevieve Vick Curry. Married– Clara Elizabeth Duffee. Children– Three. Education– Business school.  Served in the Naval Reserve in the Korean conflict. In civilian personnel work for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Mobile, 1941-75. Died…

  • CROWE, MILDRED REGINA, 1911-

    Biography: Librarian. Born– July 30, 1911, Chattanooga, Tenn. Parents– P.P. and Annie Crowe. Education– University of Chattanooga, B.A., 1933; George Peabody College, B.L.S., 1945. Served as head of cataloging and acquisition for the Negro Branches of Chattanooga, Tennessee libraries, 1935-1939; medical librarian from 1940-1944; intern and library assistant, Vanderbilt University, 1944-1945; chief librarian and assistant…

  • CUNNINGHAM, ROBERT LOUIS, 1926-

    Biography: University professor. Born– March 22, 1926, Birmingham. Parents– Louis John and Marie Virginia (Schillinger) Cunningham. Married– Margery Ann Winters, August 20, 1949. Children– Eight. Education– St. Gregory Seminary, Cincinnati, Ohio, A.B., 1947; Laval University, Ph.D., 1951; Taught philosophy at Xavier University, 1951-53; at San Francisco College for Women (now Lone Mountain College), 1953-58; at…

  • TALLEY, BRETT, 1988-

    Biography; Attorney.  Born– Birmingham, 1981.  Parents–Michael and Sue Talley. Married– Ann Donaldson, August 15, 2015. Education– University of Alabama, B.A.; Harvard Law School, 2007.  Clerk for U. S. District Judge Scott Coogler; worked for Appeals Court Judge Joel Dubina; speechwriter for Mitt Romney presidential campaign, 2012, and for Senator Robert Portman, 2013-2015; Deputy Solicitor General in the Alabama…

  • CROW, PAUL ABERNATHY, JR., 1931-

    Biography: Clergyman, seminary professor, ecumenical executive. Born– November 17, 1931, Birmingham (grew up in Lanett). Parents– Paul Abernathy and Beulah Elizabeth (Parker) Crow. Married– Mary Evelyn Matthews, September 11, 1955. Children– Three. Education– University of Alabama, B.S., 1954; Lexington Theological Seminary, B.D., 1957; Hartford Seminary, S.T.M., 1957, Ph.D., 1958. Campus minister at the University of…

  • CROMMELIN, QUENTIN, JR., 1946-

    Biography: Attorney; political staff member. Born– October 11, 1946, Montgomery. Parents– Quentin Claiborne and Priscilla Tyler (Scott) Crommelin. Education– Rice University, B.A., 1966; University of Virginia, LL.B., 1969. Served in Vietnam. Served as Legislative aide to Senator James B. Allen, 1978 until Allen’s death in 1986. Worked for the National Congressional Club, 1986-87.  Chief counsel and…

  • CRISPENS, CHARLES GANGLOFF, JR., 1930-1992

    Biography: University professor. Born– August 3, 1930, Bellevue, Pa. Parents: Charles G. and Mollie Graham Crispens.  Married–Joan A. Crispens. Children– One. Education– Pennsylvania State University, B.S., 1953; Ohio State University, M.S., 1955; Washington State University, Ph.D., 1959. Professor; University of Maryland; University of  Alabama, Birmingham. Awarded; Lederle Medical Faculty Award, 1963. Died June 15, 1992. Source: American…

  • CRENSHAW, PAULINE SMITH, 1878-1956

    Biography: Housewife; civic leader. Born– November 6, 1878, Montgomery. Parents– Lester Chauncey and Annie Saunders Smith. Married– Hervey Files Crenshaw, December 26, 1900. Children– Three. Founder and president; Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, the first fine arts museum in the state. Died December 11, 1956. Source: Files at Alabama Department of Archives and History. Publication(s): From…

  • CRAVNER, WILLIAM CHARLES, 1883-1955

    Biography: Episcopal clergyman. Born– June 17, 1883, Atwood, Pa. Parents– David C. and Amanda Baker Cravner. Married– Marie Antoinette Aldrich, October 31, 1914. Ordained Episcopal clergyman, 1916. Served churches in New York, Florida, Paris, Geneva, North Carolina, and Alexander City. Died July 25, 1955. Source: Files at Alabama Department of Archives and History; ancestry.com   Publication(s): The…

  • CRAVNER, MARIE ALDRICH, 1888-1967

    Biography: Writer. Born– November 6, 1888, Ohio.  Parents– Truman H. Aldrich and Anna Monroe Morrison Aldrich. Married– William Charles Cravner, October 31, 1914. Lived in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Alexander City and Tuscaloosa. Died August 5, 1967. Source: Files at Alabama Department of Archives and History; ancestry.com Publication(s): Zither of Many Strings. Asheville, N.C.; Stephens Press,…

  • CRADDOCK, PATRICIA BLAND, 1938-

    Biography: Literary scholar; University professor and administrator. Born– October 28, 1938, New Orleans, La. Parents– French Hood, Jr. and Jane (Bland) Craddock. Education– Stephens College, A.A., 1957; Indiana University, B.A., 1959; Stanford University, M.A., 1960; Yale University, M.A., 1963; Yale University, Ph.D,, 1964. Taught at Alabama College, 1960-1961, Connecticut College, 1963-66,  and Goucher College, 1966-72;…

  • COYLE, JAMES EDWIN, 1873-1921

    Biography: Priest, writer and editor. Born– March 23, 1873, Westpark Drum, Ireland. Parents– Owen and Margaret Laetitia (Durney) Coyle. Education–Mungret College, Limerick, Ireland, B.A., 1893, graduated from Collegio Americano del Nord in Rome, Italy. Ordained Roman Catholic priest in Rome, 1896. Assigned to the Cathedral Missions in Mobile and Baldwin County, 1896-1899; Rector of McGill Institute (School for…

  • COX, NORMAN WADE, 1888-1968

    Biography: Baptist clergyman; denominational historian. Born– October 28, 1888, Climax, Ga. Parents– Barkley Wade and Alice Louise (Brock) Cox. Married– Osye Lee Mathews, 1910. Children– Two. Education– Mercer University, B.A., 1914, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Th.D., 1918. Ordained; 1910. Student pastor; Georgia and Kentucky. Pastor; Barnesville, Savannah, Ga.; Portsmouth, Va.; Meridian, Miss.; Huntingdon, W.Va.; Mobile,…

  • COX, LUTHER, 1925-1977

    Biography: Engineer. Born January 21, 1925– Roberts Community, Brewton. Parents– Orren G. and Bettie Herrington Cox. Married– Allene Moore, April 21, 1946.  Children– Five. Education– Auburn University, B.S. in Agricultural Engineering, 1949. Served with U.S. forces in Okinawa and Iwo Jima during World War II. Worked for a major chemical company in Raleigh, North Carolina. …

  • COVIN, THERON MICHAEL, 1947-

    Biography:  Psychotherapist; college instructor. Born– February 27, 1947, Repton. Parents– Fisher Burt and Doris (Knight) Covin. Married– June Nolin, August 21, 1971; married Charlotte Covin, June 13, 1981.  Children–two.  Education– Jefferson Davis Junior College, A.A, 1968; Troy State University, B.S., 1969; M.S., 1971; University of Alabama, Ed. Specialist, 1973, and Troy State University, 1972-1973, the University…