Alabama Authors

Category: All

  • BROWN, MARY WARD, 1917-2013

    Biography: Writer.  Born June 18, 1917, Hamburg, Ala.  Parents– Thomas Ira and Mary Hubbard Ward.  Married– Charles Kirtley Brown, June 18, 1939.  Children– one.  Education– Judson College, B.A., 1938.  Additional study in creative writing– University of Alabama, University of North Carolina.  Publicity director at Judson College, 1938-39; affiliated with the Office of Guidance and Counseling,…

  • GHIGNA, CHARLES, 1946-

    Biography: Poet; children’s author;  teacher of writing.  Born– August 25, 1946, in Bayside, Queens, New York City. Parents– Charles Vincent and Patricia (Pelletier) Ghigna. Married– Nancy Minnicks.  Children–one. Married–Debra Holmes, August 2, 1975.  Children–one. Education– Attended Edison Community College, 1964-1966; Florida Atlantic University, B.A., 1968; M.A., 1969; University of South Florida; Florida State University.  Taught high…

  • HEMPHILL, PAUL, 1936-2009

    Biography: Sportswriter; novelist.  Born– February 18, 1936, Birmingham. Parents– Paul and Velma Rebecca (Nelson) Hemphill. Married– Susan Milliage Olive, September 23, 1961. Children– Three. Married Susan Farran Percy, 1977. Children–one.  Education– Auburn University, B.A., 1959; Nieman Fellowship to Harvard, 1968-1969. Alabama Air National Guard, on active duty, serving in France, 1961-1962. Sportswriter for newspapers in…

  • HEFLIN, WOODFORD AGEE, 1903-1990

    Biography: Professor, lexicographer, editor. Born– December 21, 1903, Flora Vista, N.M. Parents– Reuben W. and Naomi (Henry) Heflin. Married–Margaret L. Moser, August 7, 1942. Education– University of New Mexico, A.B., 1906; Stanford, M.A., 1927; Oxford University, M.A., 1930; University of Chicago, Ph.D., 1941.  Served in U.S. Air Force, 1942-1946; served in India. Taught at Huron…

  • HENTZ, CAROLINE LEE WHITING, 1800-1856

    Biography; Author; educator. Born; June 1, 1800, Lancaster, Massachusetts. Parents– John and Orpah Danforth Whiting. Married– Nicholas Marcellus Hentz, September 30, 1824. Children–5. Education–attended a private school conducted by Jared Sparks. Taught at the Lancaster Common School, 1817-24. Worked with her husband who conducted schools in several states, including Kentucky, Ohio, and Alabama (in Florence…

  • SOLOMON, MARTHA McLAUGHLIN, 1941-

    Biography: Educator. Born– Dec. 31, 1941. Married– Harry Solomon. Children– Two. Education– Rice University, B.A.; University of Texas, M.A., Ph.D. Taught speech communication at Auburn University; editor of Southern Speech Communication Journal; vice president of Southern Speech Communication Association; published in several scholarly speech journals. Member Rhetoric Society of America. Source: Directory of American Scholars,…

  • AVERY, BURNIECE, 1908-1993

    Biography: Teacher, actress. Born– June 12, 1908, Ala. Parents– John E. and Elizabeth Crews. Married– Robert H. Avery, 1933. Children– One. Education– Wayne State University, B.S. Elementary school teacher in Detroit, Mich., 1954-1973; writer after 1973; actress performing in theaters in Detroit, Ann Arbor, Flint, Rochester, Mich., and Louisville, Ky. Served as director and talent…

  • McLEOD, GROVER STEPHEN, 1923-2012

    Biography: Attorney; businessman. Born– June 15, 1923, Shelby County, Ala. Parents– Grover C. and Lucile (Meeks) McLeod. Married– Esme Hope, Australia, May 4, 1947. Children– Four. Education– Birmingham Southern College, University of Western Australia School of Law, University of Alabama School of Law and the University of Texas. U.S. Navy submarine service, 1941-1946.  Practiced law in…

  • STEWART, WILLIAM HISTASPAS, 1939-

    Biography: Political analyst, university professor. Born– Aug. 20, 1939, Hartselle, Ala. Parents– William H. and Opal Evelyn Cross Stewart. Married–Connie Sue Scott, May 12, 1975. Children–one. Education– University of Alabama, B.A., 1960; Ph.D., 1968; George Washington University, M.A., 1961. Taught at the Citadel, 1968-1972; University of Alabama 1972-2000; Chair of department of political science, 1992-2000.…

  • STEVENS, LUCILE VERNON, 1899-1994

    Biography: High school teacher, author. Born– March 7, 1899 in St. Paul, Minn. Parents– J. L. and Mattie (Carter) Vernon. Married– Harry L. Stevens. Education– Wichita State University, A.B., 1919;  graduate study at University of Arkansas, 1854. Taught high school English and social studies in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Member Pensters (Mobile, Ala.). Died January 30,…

  • SMALL, ROBERT VAN DYKE, 1924-

    Biography: Psychologist, writer, lecturer. Born– Nov. 29, 1924 in Abbeville, Ala. Parents– John and Della Small. Eucation; Morehouse College, B.A.; Atlanta University, M.A.; studied at Rutgers University. In U.S. Army, 1943-1945; research assistant at Atlanta University, 1950-1951; practiced psychology for Federal government, 1965-1969; assistant professor and consulting psychologist at Mercer College, Trenton, N.J., after 1969;…

  • SHEPPARD, MONA, 1907-1992

    Biography: Federal administrator, consultant. Born in 1907 in Central Hills, Ala. Parents– Edgar Morgan and Allie Sheppard. Education– Studied creative writing at University of Alabama. Tried unsuccessfully to sell short stories in New York; correspondence clerk for U.S. Treasury Department; during World War II managed correspondence for War Manpower Commission; after war was organization and methods examiner…

  • ROLAND, ALICE KATE CASH, 1853-1915

    Biography: Novelist, poet, songwriter.  Born– July 7, 1853, Logan County, Ky. Parents– John M. and Margaret (Hughes) Cash. Married– _____ Roland. Children– Three. Education– Governess; public schools of Logan County; private girls school in Russell, Ky. Died February 15, 1915. Source: Biographical Directory of Southern Authors, and Owen’s Dictionary of Alabama Biography. Publication(s): Latter-day Sinners. New York;…

  • SCOTT, VERN, 1911-1995

    Biography: Businessman, journalist. Born– Mar. 7, 1911, in Coldwater, Ala. Parents– M.C. and Millie Lou (Heaton) Scott. Education– self-educated after 8th grade. Mailman; sign painter; cinema manager; variety store owner; watch repairer; columnist for Talladega Daily Home and for Western Publications. Member– Alabama Writers Conclave; chairman Talladega Chamber of Commerce Beautification Committee; honored by Helping…

  • ALBA, NANIA CHAMPNEY, 1917-1968

    Biography: Poet; College instructor. Born– November 21, 1917, Montgomery, Ala. Parents– I. C. H. and Louise Taylor Champney.  Married– Reuben A. Alba, November 1937.  Children–two.  Education– Haines Institute in Augusta, Ga.; Knoxville College, B.A., 1935; attended Indiana University.  Taught at Tuskegee Institute and at Alabama State University. Died June 24, 1968. Source: Selected Black American Authors…

  • FLEMING, WALTER LYNWOOD, 1874-1932

    Historian; University professor and administrator. Born– April 8, 1874, Brundidge. Parents– William Leroy and Mary Love (Edwood) Fleming. Married– Mary Wright Boyd, September 17, 1902. Children– Four. Education– Alabama Polytechnic Institute, B.S., 1896; M.A., 1897; Columbia University, A.M., 1901; Ph.D., 1904.  Instructor in history and English and assistant librarian at Auburn, 1896-1900.  Served as an officer…

  • BRANTLEY, WILLIAM HENDERSON, JR., 1898-1964

    Biography: Attorney. Born– September 17, 1898, Pike County. Parents– William High and Mary (Henderson) Brantley. Married– Evelyn Ann Hassinger, June 23, 1924. Children– Three. Education– University of Alabama; Harvard University Law School. Employed as a lawyer in Birmingham with avocation of amateur historian. Long-time trustee of Samford University. Died June 19, 1964. Source: James I.…

  • PICKETT, ALBERT JAMES, 1810-1858

    Biography; Planter, historian.  Born– Anson City, N.C., August 13, 1810. (Moved to Alabama at the age of eight).  Parents–William Raiford and Frances Dickson Pickett.  Married– Sarah Smith Harris.  Children– nine.  Education– attended Stafford County Academy in Virginia and Harvard College;  read law with his brother William Dickson Pickett but never practiced.  Operated a plantation in Autauga…

  • LYMAN, WILLIAM JOHNSTON, JR.,1921-1952

    Biography: Editor, reporter; military officer. Born July 30, 1921, Birmingham. Parents– William J. Lyman and Marguerite Getaz Lyman.  Education– Ramsey High School; Davidson College, 1943; the Officer’s Candidate School at Fort Benning, Ga.; University of North Carolina Graduate School. U.S.Army, 1951-52; served in Korea; killed in action, January 18, 1952.  Employed by Charlotte (N.C.) Observer, Charleston…

  • RUIZ-FORNELLS, ENRIQUE, 1925-

    Biography: Literary scholar; University professor. Born– December 6, 1925, Madrid, Spain. Parents– Camilio and Terese (Silverde) Ruiz-Fornells. Married– Cynthia Young, March 21, 1959. Education– University of Seville, B.A., 1944; International University in Menendez Pelayo, 1950; Official School of Journalism in Madrid, M.A., 1951; University of Madrid, M.A., 1953; Ph.D., 1958; University of Paris, Northwestern University.…

  • GODWIN, GAIL, 1937-

    Biography: Journalist, writer; composer.  Born– June 18, 1937, Birmingham. Parents– Mose Winston and Kathleen (Krahenbuhl) Godwin. Married– Douglas Kennedy, 1960; married– Ian Marshall, July 17, 1965. Education– University of North Carolina, B.A.; University of Iowa, M.A., 1968; Ph.D., 1971. Worked for Miami Herald, 1959-1960; U.S. Embassy in London and U.S. Travel Service, 1962-1965; editorial assistant,…

  • HAYNES, ELIZABETH ANN ROSS, 1883-1953

    Biography: Social worker. Born– July 30, 1883,  Mount Willing, Lowndes Co. Parents– Henry and Mary Carnes Ross. Married– George Edmond Haynes, December 14, 1910. Children– One. Education– Diploma from State Normal School, Montgomery, 1898; Fisk University, A.B., 1903; study at University of Chicago in summers, 1905-1907; Columbia University, M.A., 1907. Taught in St. Louis, 1903-1904; head…

  • McMURRY, LINDA OTT, 1945-

    Biography: Historian; University professor. Born– October 24, 1945, Montgomery. Parents– William B. and Tressie (James) Ott. Married– James W. Hines, January 22, 1967. Children– One. Married– Richard M. McMurry, July 12, 1980. Children– Two. Married– John A. Edwards, 1997. Education– Emory University; B.A., Auburn University, 1968; M.A., 1972; Ph.D., 1976. Employed by Auburn University in…

  • SIMS, GEORGE E., 1954-

    Biography: Historian; professor of history; college administrator.  Born– 1954 in Selma, Ala. Parents– Elwood and Sarah Sims. Married– Ellen Guice. Education– Samford University, B.A.; Emory University, M.A., Ph.D.  Professor of history at Wayland Baptist University, Plainview, Texas, 1981-1986; professor and administrator at Belmont College, 1986-2001; vice-president for academic affairs, Muskingum College, 2001-2005; Associate vice-president for academic affairs,…

  • COLES, SAMUEL B., 1888-1957

    Biography: Missionary. Born– May 3, 1888, Tilden, Dallas County. Married  Bertha Terry, 1919.  Children– three. Education– Snow Hill Industrial and Normal School; Talladega College, A.B., 1922. Spent a year in language study in Portugal; additional study at several universities including Cornell, Howard, Pratt Institute, and the Barrow School of Pottery.  Spent a year and half laying…

  • GAINES, MARION TOULMIN, 1869-1955

    Biography: Physician, professor of medicine. Born– July 12, 1869, Mobile. Parents– Aristide and Amante (Gaines) Hamelin. Adopted by grandparents, Edmund Pendleton and Mary Jane (Toulmin) Gaines. Married– Augusta Brooks Henry, April 25, 1896. Children– Two. Education– University of Alabama, degrees in pharmacy and medicine, 1890. Intern, City Hospital of Mobile; assistant surgeon at New Orleans…

  • PHILLIPS, THOMAS HAL, 1922-2007

    Biography: Novelist; writer of screenplays. Born– October 11, 1922, Corinth, Miss. Parents– W.T. and Ollie (Fare) Phillips. Education– Mississippi State College, B.S., 1943; University of Alabama, M.A. First novel, The Bitterweed Path, served as graduate thesis. Taught creative writing at Southern Methodist University, 1948-1950. Mississippi State Public Service Commission, 1958-64. Wrote screenplays for several successful films.…

  • HUIE, WILLIAM BRADFORD, 1910-1986

    Biography: Journalist, novelist. Born– November 13, 1910, Hartselle. Parents– John Bradford and Margaret Lois (Brindley) Huie. Married– Ruth Puckett, October 27, 1934 (died 1973). Married– Martha Hunt Robertson, July 16, 1977. Education– University of Alabama, A.B., 1930. Served in U.S. Navy, WWII. Employed by the Birmingham Post, 1932-1936; co-founder of magazine Alabama: The News Magazine of…

  • PONDER, FREDA ODALENE LITTLE, 1942-

    Biography: Genealogist. Born– September 18, 1942, Cullman County. Parents– Odis Freeman and Ima Irene (Marlow) Little. Married– William R. Ponder, October 14, 1960. Children– Three. Education– Wallace Community College in Hanceville. Employed by Cullman Lingerie, 1965-1966; Porter Mills, 1966-1967; Cullman County Public Library, 1974-1976; Gregath Publishing Company. Source: Odalene Ponder, Falkville, Ala. Publication(s): The Marlow…

  • POLLARD, ELIZABETH B., 1939-2006

    Biography: Librarian. Born– June 16, 1939, Parents– Lee Wesley and Emma Frances (Robson) Blitch. Married– William Brannan Bailey, 1963; William Grosvenor Pollard, III, 1977. Children– One. Education– Emory University, B.A., 1961; M.L.S., 1970; post-graduate study, University of North Carolina, 1961-1963. Employed by the University of Georgia Libraries, 1965-1967; Emory University, 1967-1970; University of Alabama in…

  • PIM, WILLIAM PAUL, 1885-1950

    Biography: Cartoonist. Born– December 1, 1885, Freeport, Pa. Parents– Ira Lester and Mary Ella Dougherty Pim. Married– Lenna Hales. Education– graduated from Cabot Institute; studied photo-engraving, Bissell College; John Huntington Polytechnic Institute. Employed as cartoonist for Birmingham News, established the W. Paul Pims Advertising Art Studio. Taught commercial art at Birmingham-Southern College, 1922-1931. Drew the…

  • STEELE, FRANK, 1935-

    Biography: Educator, poet. Born– Jan. 13, 1935 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Parents– Frank Pettus and Zeila (Stovall) Steele. Married– Peggy Myrick on April 27, 1958. Children– Two. Education– University of Alabama, B.A.; University of Chattanooga, M.Ed.; University of Tennessee, Ed.D. Taught Baylor School for Boys (Chattanooga), 1960-1964; Webb School (Knoxville), 1964-1967; University of Tennessee at Martin,…

  • STOVALL, JAMES GLEN, 1948-

    Biography; Journalist; professor of journalism.  Born–September 8, 1948.  Married– Sally McMillan. Children–one.  Education:  University of Tennessee, B.A., 1970; American University, M. A., 1973; University of Tennessee, Ph. D., 1978.  Professor of journalism, University of Alabama, 1978-2003; visiting professor of mass communications, Emory and Henry College, 2003-2006; Edward J. Meeman Distinguished Professor of Journalism, University of…

  • McGRAW, EDGAR LEON, 1917-1987

    Biography: Editor; teacher. Born– July 21, 1917, Anderson, Lauderdale County, Ala. Parents– Lee Andrew and Louisa Idenia (Nix) McGraw. Married– Jonnie Faye Richardson, April 6, 1938. Children– Three. Education– University of North Alabama, 1935-1937; B.S., 1941; M.S., 1949, additional study, Auburn University; University of Kentucky. Employed as an elementary school teacher, Lauderdale County, 1937-1939; assistant…

  • FIES, MILTON HENRY, 1882-1970

    Engineer, businessman, consultant. Born– August 31, 1882, Birmingham. Parents– Jacob and Fannie (Kahm) Fies. Married– Rose Mayer, January 1, 1907. Education– Columbia University, School of Mines, B.S., 1904. Worked for Republic Iron and Steel Company as resident engineer, superintendent of mines, general superintendent, 1904-1910; general superintendent of mines, Birmingham Coal and Iron Company, 1910-1912; vice president of…

  • SKAGGS, MERRILL MAGUIRE, 1937-2008

    Biography: Literary scholar; university professor and administrator.  Born– Oct. 1, 1937, in Florala, Ala. Parents– John Henry and Clyde (Merrill) Maguire. Married– Calvin Lee Skaggs, Aug. 19, 1960. Children– Two. Education– Stetson University, B.A.; Duke University, Ph.D. Part-time teacher at Teachers College, Columbia University 1969-1973; taught at Drew University, 1971-2008; Dean of the Graduate School…

  • SIZEMORE, MARGARET DAVIDSON, 1910-1998

    Biography: Educator. Born– June 24, 1910, Birmingham. Parents– Daniel and Jessie Curtis Sizemore.  Married– James Middleton Sizemore. Children– Two. Married– Edward Douglas, ca. 1982. Education– Samford University, A.B., M.A.;  Degre Normal from the Sorbonne in Paris, France; studied at Western Reserve University and University of Alabama. Taught at Woodlawn High School, Birmingham and at Howard…

  • SHOUSE, SARAH NEWMAN, 1932-

    Biography: Educator. Born– May 9, 1932, in Cleveland, Tenn. Parents– Pryor L. and _____ (Cooper) Newman. Married– William F. Shouse on Aug. 20, 1954. Children– Three. Education– Vanderbilt University, B.A., M.A.; Auburn University, Ph.D.; attended Exeter College, Oxford University. Taught at Murphy High School, Mobile, 1955-1957; Emory and Henry College 1964-1965; and Alabama A &…

  • SIKORA, FRANK

    Biography: Journalist.  Born– Byesville, Ohio.  Reporter for the Gadsden Times and the Birmingham News, 1967-1997.  Received the 2014 Clarence Cason Award in Nonfiction Writing from the University of Alabama School of Communication, 2014. Publications; Judge:  The Life and Opinions of Birmingham’s Frank M. Johnson Jr.  Black Belt  Press, 1992. Let us Now Praise Famous Women:…

  • COLEMAN, WADE HAMPTON, JR., 1904-1973

    Biography: Linguist;  university professor. Born– June 10, 1904, Livingston. Parents– Wade Hampton and Lillian (Jackson) Coleman. Married– Margaret Pauline James, June 3, 1930. Children– Three. Education– University of Alabama, B.S., 1925, M.A., 1927; graduate study at the Sorbonne, Paris, and at the University of Chicago. U.S.Navy, WWII.  Professor of Romance Languages at the University of Alabama after…

  • COTTER, PATRICK

    Biography; Political scientist; university professor.  Education; B.A., Bowling Green State University; M.A., Ph. D. (1975), Ohio State University. Professor of Political Science at the University of Alabama. Editor of the Alabama Political Almanac. Awarded the status of professor emeritus on his retirement. Source: University of Alabama Press website. Joint_Publications; After Wallace:  The 1986 Contest for…

  • GOSSER, LEO, 1897-1987

    Biography: Literary scholar; university professor of English. Born– 1897 in Queen City, Mo. Parents– William and Onnye Margrett Meara Gosser.  Married–Gladys Hulsted.  Children–two. Education– Kirksville State Teacher’s College, B.S.; University of Chicago, Ph.D. Taught at Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn University), 1927-. Died May 1987. Source: Auburn University Library. Publication(s): A Medical-Vocabulary Workbook. Auburn, Ala.; API…

  • CLINE, CHARLES TERRY, JR., 1935-

    Biography: Writer. Born– July 14, 1935, Birmingham. Parents– Charles Terry and Mildred (Vann) Cline. Married– Linda Street, October 23, 1959. Children– four. Married– Judith Richards, June 30, 1979.  Education– Florida State University, 1957. Has held a variety of positions in radio and television in the Southeastern United States. Owner of Colonial Educational Exhibits in Dothan,…

  • CLEVENGER, ERNEST ALLEN, JR., 1929-2014

    Biography: Clergyman, school administrator. Born– October 30, 1929, Chattanooga, Tenn. Parents– Ernest Allen and Mary Ellen (Fridell) Clevenger. Married– Glenda Willoughby, December 17, 1950. Children– Two. Education– David Lipscomb College, B.A., 1951; McKensie College, graduate study, 1953; Harding Graduate School of Bible and Religion, M.A., 1967; Alabama Christian College of Biblical Studies, B.Th., 1975. Became…

  • CHITWOOD, MARIE DOWNS, 1918-1999.

    Biography: Writer; school librarian. Born– June 20, 1918, Boaz. Parents– Robert Edward and Minnie (Wills) Downs. Married– James William Chitwood, August 20, 1937. Education– Public schools in Alabama.  Died September 1, 1999. Source: Contemporary Authors online Publication(s): After the Storm. Grand Rapids, Mich.; Zondervan, 1964. Laughter in the House. Grand Rapids, Mich.; Zondervan, 1961. This…

  • CHITWOOD, BILLY JAMES, 1931-2008

    Biography: Baptist clergyman.  Born– September 5, 1931, Franklin, Tenn. Parents– Charles Wilbur and Bertha Angeline Chitwood. Married– Jane Knight, April 3, 1954. Children– Two. Education– Belmont College, B.A., 1957; Middle Tennessee State University, M.A., 1961; Luther Rice Seminary, B.D., 1967, Th.D., 1971. Elementary school principal, Franklin County, Tenn.; served in the U.S. Air Force, 1950-1954;…

  • CHESNUTT, SAMUEL LEE, 1879-1955

    Biography: Agricultural scientist; university professor. Born–August 29, 1879,  Hawkins, Tenn. Parents–Robert and Mary Chestnutt.  Married– Emma Brown. Children– Two. Education– University of Tennessee, 1900; Peabody College, M.S. Taught at Concord and Farragut, Tenn. Agriculture teacher at Alabama College in Montevallo for thirteen years; appointed Assistant State Supervisor of Vocational Agriculture, 1918; professor and head of the…

  • CHANDLER, WILLIAM TEMPLE HATCHETT, 1881-1967

    Biography: Park custodian. Born– January 24, 1881, Montgomery. Parents–Willis S. and Annie Hatchett Chandler.  Married–Elizabeth Newton Gale, January 2, 1902; married Helen, 1922.  Education–attended Alabama Polytechnic Institute for one year, 1900-1901; attended Washington and Lee College, 1901-02. Traveled in Europe and America. Worked in various commercial jobs mainly in Dallas, Texas, 1922-41. Returned to Alabama in 1941.  Custodian at Fort…

  • CROSSFIELD, RICHARD HENRY, 1868-1951

    Biography: Clergyman; university administrator. Born– October 22, 1868, Lawrenceburg, Ky. Parents– Richard and Elizabeth (Jackson) Crossfield. Married– Annie Ritchie Terry, February 5, 1895. Children– Two. Education– Kentucky University (now Transylvania College), A.B., 1889; College of the Bible, Lexington, Ky., 1892; University of Wooster, M.A., Ph.D., 1900. Ordained Minister, Disciples of Christ, 1894. A key figure…

  • COOPER, MATTIE CLAIRE HILL, 1891-1972

    Biography: Religious teacher. Born– June 5, 1891, Minden, Webster Parish, Louisiana. Parents–James F. and Lucy Claire Green Hill.  Married– Davis Cooper, Jr., December 12, 1911. Children–one.  Education– Graduated from Judson College, 1909; attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Teacher of training of Bible teachers for more than thirty-three years and a Sunday school teacher for forty-nine years.…