Category: A – C

Biography: Geologist. Born– October 1, 1932, Hueytown. Married– Doris, 1957. Children– Two. Education– Birmingham Southern College, B.S., 1954; University of North Carolina, M.S. Served in the U.S.Army in the Korean Conflict. Was Chief of the Geology Division, Geological Survey of Alabama after 1974; Assistant State Geologist at the time of his death. Helped compile the…

Biography: Writer. Born 1879– North Carolina. Parents– George Franklin and Emma (Pearson) Chase. Married– Jesse Nelson Cornelius, June 5, 1900. Education– Private schools. Member of the American Literary Association and the Verse Writers Guild of America. Contributed poems and essays to magazines and newspapers. Between 1912 and 1926, she won fourteen literary prizes and, between…

Biography: Physicist; science fiction writer.  Born– January 30, 1941, Mobile. Parents– James Alton and Mary Eloise (Nelson) Benford. Married– Joan Abbe, August 26, 1967. Children– Two. Married Elisabeth Malartre Brown, 2005. Education– University of Oklahoma, B.S., 1963; University of California in San Diego, M.S., 1965, Ph.D., 1967. Worked as a research assistant, University of California…

Biography: Businessman; Probate judge. Born March 14, 1893. Parents– Joseph Sanders Chambers. Lived in Chambers and Lee Counties. Married– Attie Belle Bonner, December 18, 1912. Children– Two. Married– Mabel Crum Dillard, October 25, 1964. Education– Attended Massey Business College in Columbus, Ga.; studied law by correspondence from La Salle Correspondence School in Chicago. Worked in…

Biography: Journalist; writer.. Born– September 21, 1957, Monroeville. Parents– Roy and Mary Helen (Gillion) Childress. Education– University of Alabama, B.A., 1978. Worked for the Birmingham News, 1977-80; feature editor for Southern Living, 1980-84; regional editor for the Atlanta Journal and Constitution, 1984-85. Book of the Year Selection for Crazy in Alabama; Distinguished Alumni Award, University…

Biography: Biologist; University professor. Born– October 26, 1921, Baileyton. Parents– Noel R. and Lemma L. (Roberts) Bailey. Married– Eileen Garmon, October 1, 1944. Children– Three. Education– St. Bernard College; Jacksonville State University, B.S., 1942; Vanderbilt University, M.A., 1946, Ph.D., 1949.  U.S. Army Air Corps, WWII. Taught at Alabama College (now the University of Montevallo), 1947-1963;…

Biography: Public relations director; writer. Born– Augusta, Ga. Parents–Jack and Bessie Jane Taylor Dempsey. Education– University of Georgia, Mercer University, and Texas Christian University. Married– Rev. Dr. Bob Baggott. Children– Three. Public relations director of the Newnan, Ga. hospital, 1960-1972; lived in Opelika, 1972-1982. Worked as a freelance writer, public relations director, radio announcer, commercial writer,…

Biography: Economist. Born– September 8, 1899. Parents– Edgar H. And Emma Holmes Alyea. Married– Blanche Marie Rockhold. Children– two. Education– University of Illinois, B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. Taught at the University of Pittsburgh, Butler University, University of Illinois, and University of Alabama. Senior economist with the U.S. Office of Price Administration; director of a division of…

Biography: Linguist and literary scholar; University professor of Romance languages; diplomat. Born– September 1, 1904, Lanett. Parents– Linton Stephens and Carrie Elizabeth (Lomas) Barrett. Married– Elizabeth Elliott, June, 1928 (died 1932). Children– One. Married– Marie Hamilton McDavid, May 26, 1937. Children– One. Education– Mercer University, B.A., 1928; University of Virginia, DuPont fellow, 1930-1931; University of…

Biography: Sportswriter. Born– 1936, Anderson, S.C. Parents–Clyde B. and Annise Bolton.  Married– Sandra Jean Grifpin. Children– Three. Attended Jacksonville State.  Worked as a reporter for papers in LaGrange, Georgia; Gadsden, Anniston, and Montgomery.  Sportswriter and columnist for the Birmingham News, 1961-2001. Honors; Alabama Sports Columnist of the Year, 1988, 1992, 1999.  Inducted into the Alabama…

Biography: Writer. Born– April 18, 1929, Montgomery. Parents– Jack and Catherine (Westcott) Crenshaw. Education– Vanderbilt University, B.A. 1951; University of Havana (Cuba), Parsons School of Design. Fashion industry, New York after 1958. Staff writer for Vogue magazine, 1959-1962. Fashion coordinator for Ohrbach’s, 1962-65; Fashion and beauty reporter for the New York Times, 1965-76. Head of…

Biography: Writer. Born– March 17, 1861, Jackson, Miss. Parents– James and Frances (Donnell) Barr. Married– Benjamin H. Craig. Children– Two. Education– Fair Lawn Institute, Jackson, Mississippi, 1879. Member; Ossian Club, a literary organization; secretary-treasurer; Scriblers, the first organized writers club in Alabama. Published several short stories, poems, and two books. Died January 20, 1930. Source:…

Biography: Professor of English; college administrator; pastor. Born– July 22, 1938, Piedmont. Parents– William Jesse and Genevieve (Putnam) Cook. Married– Judy M. Wallace, February 21, 1959. Children– Three. Education– Jacksonville State University, A.B., 1960; Auburn University, M.A., 1965, Ph.D., 1968. Taught English at Auburn University and Jacksonville State University; worked for Auburn University at Montgomery, 1969-75; vice-president…

Biography: Genealogist. Born– February 1, 1913, Huntsville. Parents– Claiborne T. and Mabel (Landers) Geron. Married– Jackson E. Countess, June 26, 1933. Children– Three. Education– Huntsville High School graduate, 1929; studied at the Nashville Conservatory of Music. Library assistant at Redstone Arsenal, 1951-55.  Member UDC and DAR.  Awarded second place in the Parker Genealogical Contest in 1971…

Biography: University professor, state legislator, U.S. Congressman.  Born– January 15, 1943, Sumter, S.C. Parents– Archie Calvin and Ila (Frierson) Browder. Married– Sara Rebecca Moore, February 4, 1967. Children– One. Education– Presbyterian College (SC) B.A., 1965; Emory University, M.A., Ph.D., 1971. Taught political science at Jacksonville State University, 1971-87; head of Data Associates (Polling firm), 1978-87.  Elected…

Biography: Writer; librarian; sportscaster.  Born– November 8, 1943, Montgomery. Parents– Frank William and Margaret Wolfe Breen. Married– Rita A. Gunson, 1970. Education– Pepperdine University, B.A., 1965; University of Southern California, M.S. in Library Science, 1966. Served in the U.S. Army. 1967-1969; sports broadcaster, Radio KWAV, Los Angeles,  1963-1965. Librarian, California State University, Long Beach 1966-1967;…

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,…

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…

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…

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.…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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;…

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…

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…

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…

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.…

Biography: Poet, chemist, bookstore owner. Born– September 25, 1924, Riverview. Parents– Elisha Trammell and LaFaye (Hunt) Combs. Education– Attended the University of Washington, 1943-1944; attended the University of Chicago, 1945; University of California, A.B., 1948; further study at Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Meteorologist in the U.S. Air Force, 1943-1946; chemist with Tidewater-Associated Oil…

Biography; Educator; civil rights activist.  Born December 13, 1924, Marion.  Parents–Obadiah and Bernice McMurray Scott.  Married Arthur Bagley, June 5, 1954.  Children– one.  Education: Lincoln Normal School, Marion; Antioch College; Ohio State University, B.A.; Columbia University, M.A.; Boston University, M.F.A. in Theatre Arts, 1965.  Taught high school English in Talladega; taught at Albany State College,…

Biography: Professor, university administrator; civic leader. Born– February 5, 1948, Birmingham. Parents– Robert A. and Edith Marie (Gaines) Corley. Married– Catherine Fievet, November 25, 1972. Children– Two. Education– Birmingham Southern College, B.A., 1970; University of Virginia, M.A, 1971, Ph.D., 1979. Worked for the Birmingham Post-Herald, 1971-1973; assistant archivist at Birmingham Public Library, 1977-1980 and 1981-1983;…

Biography: Teacher, university professor; civic leader. Born– May 21, 1922, Springville, Miss. Parents– David and Mary Annie (McCutcheon) Tunnell. Married– John Thomas Carter, March 16, 1946. Children– Two. Education– Attended Blue Mountain College; Wood Junior College, A.A., 1942; University of Southern Mississippi, B.S., 1946; University of Tennessee, M.S., 1948; University of Illinois, Ed.D., 1954; postgraduate study…

Biography: University professor of American Studies. Born– July 31, 1942, Salt Lake City, Utah. Parents– Rodney Jenkins and Phyllis (Snow) Badger. Married– Lee Wilson, June 10, 1965. Children– Two. Education– U.S. Naval Academy, B.S, 1964; U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, 1968-1970; Syracuse University, M.S., 1974, Ph.D., 1975. Served in the U.S. Navy, 1964-1970; instructor in naval…

Biography; Historian; professor of history; college administrator.  Professor of History at the University of Mobile; Chair, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences; Dean, Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Associate Vice-President for Academic Affairs.  Member Alabama Historical Association. Publications; Henry Hotze, Confederate Propagandist:  Selected Writings on Revolution, Recognition, and Race.  University of Alabama Press, 2008. The Pen…

Teacher; writer.  Born–Montgomery.  Education– Vassar College, B.A., 2000;  Duke University, MAT; graduate work in folklore and creative writing at the University of North Carolina.  English teacher at Spain Park High School, Birmingham, 2007-  .  Owner and operator of Lady Muleskinner Press, 2009-  .  Host of “The Lost Child” radio program on Birmingham roots music.  Author…

Biography: Writer; publisher. Born– Birmingham. Parents– Carl Lamar “Sale” Caddell, Sr. Married– William R. Crawford. Children– Three. Education– Samford University, University of Alabama Extension Center in Birmingham, and Auburn University. Lived in Vietnam for four years; worked as free-lance journalist for Stars and Stripes, Copley News Service, and other publications.  Founded the publication Military Living in 1968;…

Biography: Clergyman; editor; writer. Born–Buccatunna, Wayne County, Mississippi. Married– Mary Buxton, 1951.  Children–one. Education– Attended Lee College in Cleveland, Tenn.; Samford University, BA in journalism, 1962. Church of God minister; served as pastor in Canada and Alabama;    state director of youth and Christian education for the Church of God in Alabama for six years;  director…

Biography: Attorney; specialist in banking law. Born– April 4, 1879, Callion. Parents– Robert Wood and Ann Bates (Allen) Collins. Married– Sue Steele Spencer, July 12, 1933. Education– Alabama Polytechnic Institute, B.S., 1899; University of Chicago, Ph.B., 1908, A.M., 1909; studied at Harvard University, 1910-1911. Admitted to the Alabama Bar, 1901; admitted to practice before the…

Biography: College English instructor. Born– March 4, 1892. Montgomery. Parents– Charles A. and Virginia (Scott) Coleman. Education– University of Alabama, A.B.; Swarthmore College, M.A., 1923. Taught at Lanier High School, 1912-1918; head of the English department at Swarthmore College; taught in the English department at the University of Alabama, 1927-62. First female member of the faculty…