Category: A – C

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

Biography: Photographer; journalist. Born– February 18, 1916, Hyde Park, Md. Parents– Oliver Fraser and Annie Sally (McLeod) Atkins. Married– Marjorie Neola Deakin, August 10, 1940. Children– Two. Education– University of Alabama, A.B., 1938; while at the University served as member of the band, staff member of the Crimson-White, staff member of the Corolla, and member…

Biography: Educator; university president; attorney. Born– July 12, 1848, Fayetteville, N.C. Parents– William and Mary Jane Councill. Married– Maria H. Weeden, September 5, 1885.  Children–four. Education–attended one of the first schools established for African-Americans after the Civil War, in Stevenson, AL, 1865-1867; otherwise privately tutored and self-educated (studied Latin, mathematics, chemistry, and law). Ph. D. Morris Brown College.  First black…

Biography: Music teacher. Born–  July 12, 1861, Greensboro. Parents– Thomas and Martha Louise (DuBois) Armstrong. Married– Chappell Cory, December 26, 1890. Children– Four. Education– Mansfield Female College in Louisiana, M.A. Taught music in Birmingham and music and art in Decatur. Organist for churches and for evangelist Sam Jones. Instrumental in the establishment of the Boys Industrial School at…

Biography: University Professor; historian. Born– November 23, 1923, Montgomery. Parents– Ivie and Annie (Slocombe) Cadenhead. Married– Margaret Shugart, 1947. Children– Four. Education– Alabama Polytechnic Institute, B.S., 1946, M.S., 1947; University of Missouri, Ph.D., 1950. US Army Air Force, World War II.  Part-time instructor in math, Alabama Polytechnic Institute, 1946 and 1947-1948; assistant editor of the…

Biography: University professor; historian. Born– July 2, 1943, Pensacola, Fla. Parents– Drexel Pascal and Gladys Edna (Enfinger) Caldwell. Married– Sandra Moffett Marshell, August 14, 1966. Children– Two. Education– Attended Pensacola Junior College; Florida State University, B.S., 1965, M.A., 1966, Ph.D., 1971. Taught history at Orlando Junior College, 1966-1968, and at Jacksonville State University after 1971;…

Biography: Physician; medical administrator;  philanthropist. Born– Vicksburg, Miss., March 16, 1911.   Parents– Neil and Effie (Alston) Callahan. Married– Eivor Holst, 1941. Children– Six. Education– Mississippi College, A.B., 1929; Tulane University, M.D, 1933, M.S. in Opthalmology, 1936. U.S. Army Medical Corps, 1942-46.   Served on the staff of the Eye Foundation, Carraway Methodist and University Hospitals;…

Biography: College professor, public relations director. Parents– Bertsil B. and Bonnie M. (White) Baker. Married– Lula Mae Lawless, July 18, 1935. Education– Howard College. Taught at Howard College and Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Secretary to the head architect of TVA, contributing editor of a national magazine,  public relations director at Auburn University and at Florida State University,…

Biography: Literary scholar; University professor. Born– July 10, 1922, Nashville, Tenn. Married– 1951. Children– Four. Education– Vanderbilt University, B.A., 1947, M.A., 1949, Ph.D., 1963. Taught English at Mississippi State College for Women, 1957-1961; Vanderbilt University, 1961-1964; Auburn University, 1964-1987. Awarded Guggenheim Fellowship during 1972-1973;  Hargis Professor of English Literature at Auburn 1974-1987. Member of the…

Biography: Historian; University professor. Born– August 25, 1890, Collirene (Lowndes County).  Parents– Thomas Hines and Anne (Rast) Abernethy. Married– Ida Erckman Robertson, December 6, 1917. Education– College of Charleston, A.B., 1912; Harvard University, M.A., 1915, Ph.D., 1922.  Military service, U.S. Army, World War I. Taught at Marion Institute, 1912-1914 and 1919; Women’s College of Alabama, 1916-1917;…

Biography: Episcopal priest. Born July 25, 1890, Virginia. Parents–Launcelot Minor Blackford and Eliza Chew Ambler Blackford.  Married–  Ellen Ford. Education– Virginia Theological Seminary. Ordained a deacon in 1915 and a priest in the Episcopal Church in 1916.  Chaplain/major in US Army, World War II.  Rector of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Talladega, 1945. Organized St. James Mission…

Biography: Composer, musician, music teacher, writer. Born– January 1870, Tuskegee. Parents– James Andrew and Francina A. (Mason) Bilbro. Married Frank E. Dix, 1908.  Education– Alabama Conference Female College; studied music under private tutors. Early in her life she composed two sets of piano pieces for children, “Jolly Tunes for Little Folks” and “Wee Folks in…

Biography: Methodist clergyman. Born– February 17, 1913, Athens. Parents– Robert Mason and Cora (Holland) Clem. Married– Nelle Echols, August 5, 1936. Children– Three. Education– Birmingham Southern College, A.B., 1937, where he was a member of the unbeaten, untied football team known as “the Southern Squad of 1934”; Emory University, B.D. Served pastorates in churches in…

Biography: Druggist; businessman. Born– March 16, 1855, Eufaula. Parents– Andrew Hamil and Margaret Euphemia (Allan) Beauchamp. Married– Julia Fauntleroy Crowder, January 15, 1903. Children– Three. Education– City schools of Eufaula. Entered the drug business as a clerk in 1871; became a proprietor in 1889 but disposed of his interest in 1912; cashier of East Alabama…

Biography: Musician; music teacher. Born– March 2, 1923, Birmingham. Parents– Henry Clifford and Marcia Powers (White) Barrett. Married– Betsy Joan Mason, July 23, 1955. Children– Three. Education– University of Alabama, B.S., 1948, M.A. 1949; studied at Juillard School of Music; Columbia University.  U.S. Navy, WWII.  Taught at the University of Alabama; played in several symphony…

Biography: Teacher, educational administrator. Born–May 18, 1982, Cumberland City, Stewart County,  Tennessee. Parents– Joseph and Sarah Arrevia Bedwell Bayer.  Married– Jeanie Huldah Gould, February 12, 1920.  Children–three. Education– University of Tennessee, B.A., 1916. Moved to Boligee, Greene County, Ala. in 1919. Farmed for two years; taught school at Boligee and at Eutaw. Served as county superintendent…

Biography: Professor; college administrator. Born April 27, 1856. Parents–Daniel Asbury and Margaret Rebecca Moore Christenberry.  Married– Annie Hanna, 1893. Children–three.  Education– Southern University, Ph.B., 1887, A.M., 1888. Principal, Greenville Collegiate Institute, 1888-1889; president, Greensboro Female College, 1889-1892; professor of English language and literature, Southern University, after 1892.  Died May 28, 1911. Source: Semi-Centennial History of…

Biography: Businessman, computer programmer, and information technology manager, post-secondary instructor, poet, photographer, and publisher.  Born– August 12, 1940, Long Island, NY.  Parents– Ralph Chester and Madeline Siebert Beyer.   Married– Carolyn Kracke. Children– Two. Education– NY State College of Forestry at Syracuse, Florence State College, Employed- National Floor Products, Florence, Alabama, 1962-1968; Reynolds Metals Company, Listerhill, AL,…

Biography: Teacher; librarian. Born– December 3, 1911, Troy. Parents– Onis Austin and Magnolia Bay (Powell) Faulk. Married– William Samuel Crawford, August 5, 1933. Education– Troy State University, two years; George Peabody College, B.S., 1931; graduate study at Clemson University and Furman University; correspondence courses; University of Oklahoma in library science. Taught; Good Hope Elementary School,…

Biography: Writer; columnist. Born– October 20, 1891, Birmingham. Parents– William Brooks and Nancy (Hudson) Alexander. Married– Helen Almon, December 30, 1914. Children– Three. Education– Howard Institute, Mt. Pleasant, Tn., 1900-1909; Vanderbilt University, 1909-1912. Wrote for magazines and newspapers. Wrote a syndicated column, “I Reckon So,” 1912-1938. After 1938, wrote a syndicated weekly feature. Member of the…

See: Alexander, Mary Jo

Biography: Writer; College instructor. Born– Sunny South, Ala., August 6, 1918.  Parents– James Martin and Katherine Morgan. Married– David Strode Akens, August 21, 1953. Education– University of Montevallo, A.B.; University of Alabama, M.A., 1956; attended American University in Washington, D.C. Taught at Huntingdon College, Athens College and the University of Montevallo; served as Dean of…

Biography: Linguist; college professor of French. Born– April 21, 1897, Louisville, Ky. Parents– J. W. and Hattie (Gooch) Acton. Married– Virginia Franklin, July 18, 1927. Children– One. Education– Georgetown  College (Kentucky), A.B., 1917; University of Wisconsin, M.A., 1920, Ph.D., 1925; further study at the Sorbonne, Paris. Taught at Georgetown College, Kentucky, 1917-1918; University of Wisconsin, 1920-1925; Samford…

Biography: Journalist;  teacher; coach; editor; postal employee. Born– January 28, 1906, Grenada, Miss. Parents– Joseph Livingston and Sadie (Cornick) Acee. Married– Chrystel Maddox, May 20, 1934. Children– One. Education– Mississippi College, B.A., 1928; University of Alabama, M.A., 1932; attended the University of Virginia and Mississippi State University. Served in the U.S. Navy in WWII. Taught…

Biography: Political scientist; University professor. Born– November 25, 1921, Birmingham. Parents– James Robert and Lynia Esther (Vines) Abernathy. Married– Nancy Katherine Perry, September 6, 1949. Children– Three. Education– Birmingham Southern College, B.S., 1942; University of Alabama, M.A., 1947; University of Wisconsin, Ph.D., 1953. Served with the U.S. Army Air Force, 1942-1946; reached rank of captain.  Taught…

Biography: Genealogist; historian. Born– December 10, 1934, Atlanta, Ga. Parents– Harold Lee and Agnes (Stoner) Walters. Married– William Marsh Acker, Jr., April 13, 1957. Children– Two.  Education– Duke University, B.A., 1956. Source: Martha Walters Ackers. Publication(s): Deeds of Franklin County, Georgia, 1784-1826. Birmingham, Ala.; Author, 1976. Index to Deeds of Franklin County, Georgia, 1784-1860. Birmingham,…

Biography: Writer; civic leader. Born–August 9, 1914,  Chattanooga. Parents– Benjamin Arthur and Janey Lee (Pickel) Boone. Married– William Craig Aiken, April 16, 1938. Children– Two. Education– McKenzie Business College, Bob Jones College, and Auburn University. Worked for Dixie Foundry Company in Cleveland, Tenn.; Central Alabama Electric Cooperative; correspondent for the Montgomery Advertiser, United Press International, the…

Biography: Writer. Born– October 7, 1862, Mobile. Parents– Timoleo and Helen (Campbell) Adams. Lifelong resident of Mobile and a charter member of the Pen Women of Mobile; wrote prose and poetry; work appeared in the New Orleans newspapers, Colliers, Golden Age, the Chicago Advance and other periodicals and anthologies. Died August 26, 1936. Source: The…

Biography: Attorney; prosecutor. Born– August 31, 1949, Berea, Ohio. Parents– Roy R. and Jeanne (Burns) Accardi. Married– Marian Elizabeth Hollon, June 24, 1989.  Children–two.  Education– University of North Alabama, B.S., 1971; University of Alabama, J.D., 1974. Admitted to Alabama Bar, 1974. Employed as assistant district attorney and deputy assistant district attorney in Madison County, Ala., 1974- …

Biography: Journalist; teacher. Born– April 19, 1908, Brookwood. Parents: Paul Lee and Addie Lee Abernethy.  Married; Louise Wallis, June 24, 1932.  Education– Birmingham Southern College. Worked as a schoolteacher and later for the Sylacauga News, Dothan Eagle, Houston Press; editor and part owner of the Talladega Home, 1936-50. Republican candidate for governor of Alabama, 1954.…

Biography: Baseball player; sports executive; businessman. Born– February 5, 1934, Mobile. Parents– Herbert and Estella Aaron. Education– Attended public schools. Married–(1) Barbara Lucas. Children– Five. Married–(2) Billye Williams. Children– One. Played baseball with the Milwaukee Braves. 1954-65;  with the Atlanta Braves in 1966-1974; with the Milwaukee Brewers, 1975-76.  Set the record for career home runs, 1974. Recipient of…

Biography: University professor of English. Born– May 7, 1919, Benmore, Miss. Education– Twentieth Century Business College, 1937-39; University of Houston, B.A., 1951; Florida State University, M.A., 1964, Ph.D., 1966. U.S. Army Air Force, 1943-45 (awarded the Bronze Star).  Worked as a secretary, 1939-43 and 1946-48;  Education director at Camp Cherryfield, Brevard, N.C., 1956-62; staff director of the Knoxville…

Biography: Farmer; historian. Born– September 1, 1859, Tuscaloosa. Parents– Patrick and Catherine (Boyle) Clinton. Married– Julia Watkins, January 7, 1892. Children– Three. Wrote historical sketches for the Alabama Historical Society and for Tuscaloosa newspapers for fifty years.  Died March 4, 1935. Source: Obituary, Tuscaloosa News, March 5, 1935; Moore’s History of Alabama, Vol. 3; files…

Biography: University professor of speech. Born– June 2, 1926, Birmingham. Parents– Adelbert and Odie (Self) Bradley. Married– Jeanne Moore, December 4, 1948. Children– Two. Education– Birmingham Southern College, A.B., 1950; University of Alabama, M.A., 1951; Florida State University, Ph.D., 1955.  U.S.Navy, WWII. Taught at the University of Richmond, 1955-67;  at the University of North Carolina,…

Biography: Journalist, writer. Born– September 19, 1892, Birmingham. Parents– Augustus Brown and Eugenia (Harrison) Bethea. Married– Alice Sixbey, August 7, 1912. Children– One. Education– Phillips High School. Reporter for the Birmingham Ledger, 1916-1921; managing editor of the Birmingham Post, 1921-28. Member of the Loafers Literary Club. Died July 2, 1928. Source: Who Was Who in…

Biography: Musician; Professor of music; collector of folksongs. Born– August 15, 1901, Vancouver, Washington. Parents– Horace Wade and Marguerite Jaggy Arnold.  Married–Flossie E. Hagebusch, 1962. Education– Willamette University, B.A., 1924; Eastman School of Music. Faculty member of the University of Alabama, 1938-1949; University of Southern California after 1950. Best known for his work in collecting folksongs…

Biography: Newspaper publisher, writer. Born– August 28, 1911, Cullman. Parents– Jesse Harden and Lula Florence (Winn) Smith. Married– Henry Frank Arnold, 1934. Children– Two. Education– Huntingdon College, A.B., 1932. Taught English at Hanceville High School, 1932-1934. Publisher, with husband, of Cullman Tribune, 1937-1968; freelance writer after 1968. Served as Secretary of the Cullman Bicentennial Commission;…

Biography: Teacher, school superintendent. Born– September 28, 1890, Kennedy. Parents– John S. and Alpha (Smith) Branyon. Married– Nell Emily Walker, 1919. Children– Two. Education– Florence State College, two years; Peabody College, B.S., 1916; M.S., 1919; further graduate work at the University of Alabama, Cornell University, and Auburn University. Taught at rural schools in Fayette County,…

Biography: Reporter; novelist. Born– December 1, 1876, Washington, D.C. Parents– George Augustus and Lucy Hamilton (Kerr) Armes. Education– attended private schools in Washington, D.C. Employed as a reporter for the Chicago Chronicle, Washington Post, and Birmingham Post-Herald. Edited Advance Magazine in Birmingham in 1906; reported on the history and resources of the Alabama mineral belt…