Category: G – I

Poet; university professor.  Born–April 22, 1951, Kileen, Texas (grew up in Alabama). Married– Erin McGraw.  Education– Huntingdon College, B.A., 1974;  University of Alabama, M.A., 1976; M.F.A. University of Iowa, 1983. Additional study at University of Syracuse, 1976-78. Teacher at Carver Elementary School, Montgomery, 1973-74; instructor in composition, Auburn University at Montgomery, 1978-81;  at Baylor University,…

Biography; Writer, editor.  Born:  December 4, 1927, Calhoun.  Married–Earl A. George.  Children–one.  Education:  Judson College, B.A., 1949; aatended Samford University;  UAB, M.A., 19714; additional work at the University of Alabama.  Worked as an English teacher in Birmingham and Jefferson County schools for twenty-three years; founded Druid Press, a small publishing house, in 1982.  Published her first…

Biography: Historian; university professor of history. Born– June 12, 1952, Fort Wayne, Indiana.  Married Margaret Anne “Peggy” Miller, December 11, 1976.  Children–two.  Education: Indiana State University, B. A., 1974; Ohio State University, M.A., 1976;  Ph.D, 1981. Historian, NASA Langley Research, 1981-85; Professor of history, University of Maine, Orono, 1984-85; Professor of History, Auburn University, 1986-;…

Biography: Engineer, university professor and administrator.  Born– August 9, 1939, Minneapolis, Minn. Parents–Arthur Fowle Irwin and Virginia Marie Iverson Irwin. Married–Edie Irwin. Education– Auburn University, B.E.E., 1961; University of Tennessee, M.S., 1962, Ph.D., 1967. Employed at Bell Telephone Laboratories, 1967-1969; taught at Auburn University, 1969-2015, serving as chairman, Department of Electrical Engineering for 36 years. Member;…

Biography: Denominational executive; educator; advocate for missions. Born– October 5, 1909, Roanoke, Va. Parents– William Otis and Myrtle (Wertz) Hunt. Education– Longwood College (now Virginia State Teachers College), B.S., 1941; Columbia University, A.M., 1947. Taught in county schools of Roanoke, Va., 1929-1931, principal, 1931-1932; city schools of Roanoke, principal, 1932-1944; William Jewell College, dean of…

Biography: Born– September 24, 1850, near Reform, Pickens County. Parents– Ransom Flournoy and Sarah Elizabeth (Hargrove) Hunnicutt. Married– Alice A. Strong, 1882. Children– Five. Education– Southern University, 1869-70. Organized the Ku Klux Klan in Pickens and Hale counties.Lived in Belton, Texas, for many years;  employed by International Harvester and other companies as bookkeeper and collector. Returned to Tuscaloosa…

Biography: Attorney, congressman. Born– November 11, 1869, Wilson County, Tenn. Parents– Joseph Franklin and Nancy (Sherrill) Huddleston. Married– Bertha Baxley, November 29, 1917. Children– Five. Education– Cumberland University, L.L.B., 1891. Practiced law in Birmingham, 1891-1913; served as private in Co. K, 1st Alabama Regiment during the Spanish American War; alderman in Birmingham, 1910; U.S. Congressman,…

Biography: Naturalist. Born– May 3, 1872, Lake Grove, N.Y. Parents– Elbert Richard and Anne Judson (Holmes) Howell. Married– Grace Bowen Johnson, June 20, 1900. Children– Three. Education– Public schools in Brooklyn, New York. Worked as a clerk and secretary, 1889-1895. Hired as a Biologist, Division of Economic Ornithology and Mammology, U.S. Biological Survey of the Department…

Biography: Attorney, congressman, entrepreneur, writer.  Born– December 12, 1862, Rome, Ga. Parents–Stephen Oliver and Martha Ann Maddry Howard.  Married– Sarah “Sallie” Lankford, December 2, 1883. Children–three. Married–Stella Vivian Harper, November 9, 1926. Little formal education; largely self-taught. Admitted to the bar, 1881, and practiced law in Fort Payne; prosecuting attorney, Dekalb County, four years; city attorney, Fort…

Biography: Attorney. Born– May 22, 1842, in Heard County, Ga. Parents– William Henry and Eliza Ann (Bennett) Houghton. Married– Anna M. Streety, December 21, 1875. Children– One. Education– From age fifteen, alternately taught school and attended an academy until 1860. Served in the Confederate Army, 1861-1865. Studied law, 1865-1866; admitted to the bar in Dale…

Biography: Journalist. Born– May 15, 1872, in Ringgold, Ga. Parents– John Randolph and Janie Lawton (Mulkey) Hornady. Married– Maude Morella Simmons, November 28, 1896. Children– Three. Education– Educated by his mother until her death when he was ten years old. Worked for the Birmingham News, 1895-1921, as reporter, city editor, managing editor, and associate editor…

Biography: Sociologist; Professor. Born– December 20, 1939, Blooming Grove, Tex. Parents– Clyde and Alma Vera Clark Hollingsworth. Education– Texas A & M University, B.S., 1962; M.A., 1964; University of Florida, Ph.D., 1970. Served as visiting professor, University of Valle, Colombia, 1966-1968; research associate for Latin American studies, University of Florida., 1968-1969; University of Alabama, 1969-.…

Biography: Attorney, judge, congressman. Born– October 5, 1887. Parents– Samuel Freeman and Frances (John) Hobbs. Married– Sarah Ellen Greene, January 8, 1913. Children– Three. Education– Marion Military Institute, A.A., 1905; student, Vanderbilt University, 1905-1906; University of Alabama, LL.B., 1908. Practicing attorney in Selma, 1908-1921; judge, 4th Judicial Circuit of Alabama, 1921-1926, afterward returning to practice…

Biography: Businessman, publisher. Born– June 19, 1894, in Buffalo, N.Y. Parents– Francis Leslie and Katherine (Hoff) Hoff. Married–Mary Katherine White, August 12, 1921. Children–one. Education– Nicols Preparatory School, 1913. Served in U. S. Army, WWI.  Vice president and sales manager, National Lime Cement and Byproducts Corporation; president and general manager, Blue Book Publishing Company, Birmingham.…

Biography: Champion archer. Born– November 13, 1899 , Wilsonville, Shelby County. Parents–  Married–Elizabeth Hodges.  Education–Auburn University. Worked for Hughes Tool in Miami and played semi-pro baseball. Set many records. Winner of 196 consecutive field archery tournaments, including seven national titles. Worked in the film industry as actor, producer, director and consultant. Stand-in bowman for Errol Flynn in several films…

Biography: Professional football player. Born– May 4, 1932, Killen, Lauderdale Co. Parents–Frank Beatrice and Bessie Simpson Hill.  Married–Virginia Ann Sellers.  Children–five. Education– Florence State College, B.S. (1953), and M. A. (1969) Played football with Chicago Bears, 1954-1961; Pittsburgh Steelers and Detroit Lions, 1962. NFL Rookie of the Year, 1954; Jim Thorpe Trophy, 1955; Alabama Sports Hall of…

Biography: Poet; writing instructor. Born– May 4, 1946, Pittsburgh, Pa. Parents– Fred R. and Helen (Frech) Hall. Married–Andrew Methvin.  Children–two. Education– St. Francis College (In.), B.A., 1968; University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; Warren Wilson College (N.C.), M.F.A., 1985. English professor, Jacksonville State College. Published poems in Sequoya Review, Poetry Miscellany, Tar River Poetry, and other journals…

Biography: Lawyer, congressman, Secretary of the Navy. Born– March 12, 1834,  Laurensville, S.C. Parents– Thomas E. and Dorothy Teaugue (Young) Herbert. Moved to Alabama in 1846. Married–Ella B. Smith, April 23, 1867.  Children–three. Education– University of Alabama, 1853-1854; University of Virginia, 1854-1856. Admitted to the Alabama bar, 1857. Practiced law in Greenville (Ala.), 1857-1872; in…

Biography: Historian; university professor. Born– September 18, 1931, Bigbee. Parents–Curtis T. and Hester E. Thompson Henson.  Education– Auburn University, B.S., 1952, M.A., 1958; Tulane University, Ph.D., 1965. Taught at Grand Canyon College, 1962-1963; University of Houston, 1963-1966; Auburn University, 1966-1993. Member, Organization of American Historians, Naval History Foundation. Source: Directory of American Scholars, 1982. Publication(s):…

Biography: Methodist clergyman, professor. Born– January 13, 1879, at Palm in Pickens Co. Parents– Robert Fillmore and Rebecca Catherine (Morris) Henry. Married– Mary Elizabeth Davis, June 18, 1903. Children– Five. Education– Southern University, A.B., 1900; Vanderbilt University, B.D., 1902; University of Alabama, A.M., 1912; Boston University, Ph.D., 1915; further graduate work at University of Chicago,…

Biography: Public relations specialist, radio and television writer and producer; novelist. Born– December 25, 1925, Montgomery. Parents– Charles Merle and Lucille (Atherton) Hellebusch. Married– William J. Hebson, June 8, 1947. Children– Three. Married–Robert S. Levy, July 31, 1976.  Education– University of Louisville, 1941-1943; Grinnell College, B.A., 1947. Social worker, Iowa State Department of Welfare, 1947-1948;…

Biography: Economist; university professor. Born– April 2, 1943, in Donaldsonville, La. Parents–Robert Marie and Shirley Louise Harp Hebert.  Married–Diane Elizabeth DuPont, December 28, 1965. Education– Lousiana State University, B.S., 1965; M.S., 1966; Ph.D., 1970. Taught at Louisiana State University, 1968-1969; Clemson University, 1970-1974; Auburn University, 1970-2000; head of Department of Economics at Auburn, 1980-87 and…

Biography: Professor of psychology. Born– January 5, 1930, in Istanbul, Turkey. Parents– Sakru and Saime Hazem. Married–Annie Laaja Rausberg, September 24, 1970. Children–one. Education– University of London, B.S., 1963; University of North Wales, Ph.D., 1968.  Taught at the University of Wales, 1963-1977; visiting professor University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, 1977-1978; Auburn University, 1978-. Published widely…

Biography: Law enforcement officer; businessman, public speaker. Born– May 27, 1946, Cherokee Co. Parents– Robert Lee and Maude (Townsend) Hartline. Married– Patricia R. Hartline, October 4, 1970. Children– Two. Education– Graduate of Alabama Technical College, 1978; further study at Georgia State University. Served in the 1st Air Cavalry Division and 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam;…

Biography: Writer. Born– October 20, 1856, Camden. Parents– Warfield Creath and Catherine Cole (Jones) Richardson. Married– John Calhoun Harrison, July 12, 1881. Education– Stafford School, Tuscaloosa Female Academy. Lived in Tuscaloosa, where her husband owned a clothing store. Published poems, essays, and stories in national journals and magazines. Died December 4, 1940. Source: Marquis who’s…

Biography: Botanist, Geographer. Born– August 11, 1878, in Farmington, Maine. Parents– William and Bertha (Tauber) Harper. Education– University of Georgia, B.E., 1897; Columbia University, Ph.D., 1905.  Married– Mary Susan Wigley on June 23, 1943. Served as Aide, National Herbarium, 1901-1902; forester, Geological Survey of Georgia, 1903-1904; geographer, Geological Survey of Alabama, 1905 until his death…

Biography: Methodist clergyman. Born– November 8, 1845, Montgomery. Parents–Elliott Cromwell and Mary Ann Stubbs Hannon.  Married– Lucy Willis Haile, 1893. Children–two.  Education– McNutt School, Montgomery; University of Alabama, 1862; Randolph Macon College, A.M. Served in Confederate Army, 1863-1865. Bookkeeper in a banking house for two years before joining Virginia Conference of Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Pastor…

Biography; Writer.  Born New Orleans, July 8, 1929 (spent most of her childhood in Montgomery).  Parents–Adolph Eugene and Katherine Onion Grau.  Married–James Kern Feibleman, August 4, 1955.  Children–five.  Education:  Tulane University, B. A., 1950.  Wrote novels, as well as stories, and articles published in journals and magazines.   Taught creative writing, University of New Orleans, 1966-67. …

Biography: Executive. Born– October 7, 1907, Birmingham. Parents– Evan Presley and Minnie (Cross) Hale. Married– William Arthur Hanlin, April 23, 1931. Children– One. Education– Study at Howard College. Worked as oral hygienist, dental assistant, and secretary. Worked for the Birmingham Gas Appliance Company as secretary, 1930-1948; vice president, 1948-1971; and member of board of directors.…

Biography: Jazz musician, composer. Born– November 16, 1873, Florence. Parents– Charles Bernard and Elizabeth (Brewer) Handy. Married– Elizabeth Virginia Price, 1898. Children–six.  Married (2) Irma Louise Logan, 1953. Teacher in Birmingham for two years; laborer in Bessemer iron works, itinerant bricklayer and music teacher. Organizer and leader of a band which he took to the Chicago…

Biography:  Scholar of philosophy and religion; university professor. Born– November 30, 1930, Birmingham. Parents– Joseph Langhorne and Fanny (Bowers) Hammond. Married– Alice Jean Love, June 27, 1959. Children– Two. Education– Washington and Lee University, B.A., 1951; Yale University, B.D., 1955; Vanderbilt University, Ph.D., 1962; additional graduate courses at University of Utrecht and Southern Baptist Theological…

Biography: Methodist clergyman, educator. Born– August 10, 1849, Lowndesboro. Parents– Edward Joseph and Anne Jane Hamill. Married– Ada L. Tuman, July 7, 1885. Children– Three. Education– East Alabama Male College at Auburn, A.B., 1868; Illinois College, A.M. 1900.   Served in Civil War, 1864-1865. Held positions as city school superintendent in Illinois and Missouri; president of…

Biography: Newspaper editor. Born– February 10, 1915, Montgomery. Parents– Grover Cleveland and Claudia (English) Hall. Education– Montgomery public schools. After leaving school, worked as shoe salesman and held other casual employment. From 1935 until 1942, successively police reporter, political writer, and capital reporter for Montgomery Advertiser. State correspondent for Time magazine, 1939.Served in U.S. Air Force,…

Biography: Newspaper editor. Born– January 11, 1888, Haleburg. Parents– William Rabun and Parmelia Ann (Davis) Hall. Married– Claudia McCurdy English, May 14, 1912. Children– One. Education– Alabama country schools. Printer’s devil in Dothan, 1905; editor, Enterprise Ledger, 1907; Dothan Daily Siftings, 1908; managing editor, Selma Times, 1909; editorial writer, Pensacola Journal, 1910; associate editor and…

Biography: Clergyman, educator. Born– August 18, 1857, New Market, Madison Co. Parents– Philip Perry and Caroline Susan (Gulledge) Hale. Married– Lena Lyle Bolinger, December 8, 1885. Children– Seven. Education– Howard College, A.B., 1879; graduate of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1883; post-graduate work at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Ordained a Baptist minister; pastor in Danville,…

Biography: Photojournalist. Born–December 30, 1928,  Jersey City, New Jersey. Parents–Thor Bernard and Della Benton Haagen.  Served in Signal Corps, U.S. Army. Cameraman in post-war Germany; worked and trained in New York City; later in South Florida and the Bahamas; photographic staff, NATO, 1955; Marshall Space Flight Center, Photographic Division (7 years); free-lance photojournalist after 1967. Died December…

Biography: Physician. Born– July 7, 1940, Birmingham. Education– Medical College of Alabama, M.D., 1965; internship at Carraway Methodist Medical Center; residency at Mayo Clinic, 1966-1967. Served in the U.S. Air Force, 1967-1969.  Practiced medicine in Birmingham. Attending physician and director of Medical Education at Carraway Methodist Hospital. Taught medicine at the University of Alabama in Birmingham,…

Biography: Baptist minister. Born– March 5, 1876, in Elberon, Va. Parents– John Avington Merritt and Sarah Rebecca (Deering) Gwaltney. Married–Richie Thornton Peters, September 23, 1902.  Children–five. Education– University of Richmond, 1899-1904; Union Theological Seminary, 1904-1905; Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Th.M.; Potomac University, STD, 1908. Ordained in 1902.  Served churches in Prattville, Greenville, and Florence; editor,…

Biography: Sociologist; university professor; motivational speaker. Born– August 12, 1934, Spartanburg, S.C. Parents–Benjamin F. and Irene Hill Griessman. Children–three. Education– Tennessee Temple College, B.P., 1956; Baylor University, M.A., 1958; New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, M.Div., 1962; Louisiana State University, Ph.D., 1966. Taught at North Carolina State University, 1966-1970; director of NC State Center for Occupational…

Biography: Administrator. Born– April 19, 1913, Birmingham. Parents– Arthur and Fannie Bell (Banks) Glynn. Married– Ila Newell, April 18, 1941. Education– Graduate of Alabama State University, 1938. After 1952, employee of Tuscaloosa Housing Authority, serving as assistant executive director, 1969-1982. After 1976, vice-chairman of Board of Trustees of Alabama State University. Active in Hunter’s Chapel…

Biography: Educator; athletic official. Born–June 22, 1928,  Midway, Bullock County. Parents–Washington L. Glenn and Carrie Penick Glenn. Grandson of former slaves. Education– Valedictorian of high school class; Alabama State University, B.S., M.A. Taught high school mathematics in Montgomery public schools; after ten years teaching, served as educational specialist with Extension Course Institute, Air University, Gunter…

Biography: Chemist, educator. Born–March 30, 1884, Collinsville. Parents–Joseph Virgil and Mary Lucinda Morgan Glazner. Married– Kathleen Sharp, September 2, 1919 (died 1920). Children– One. Married– Ester Mead Coupland, August 19, 1926. Children–one. Education– University of Alabama, B.S., 1919, M.S.; Peabody College, Ph.D. Chemist in Birmingham; principal of Dadeville High School; professor of science and geography at…

Biography: University professor. Born– February 27, 1948, Mantua. Parents– Terrell and Unareed (Burton) Harris. Education– Stillman College, A.B., 1969; Ohio State University, M.A., 1972, Ph.D., 1973. Taught English at College of William and Mary, 1973-1979; University of North Carolina, 1979-1993; Emory University, 1993-1996; University of North Carolina, 1996-2009; University of Alabama, 2010-present. Published many articles…

Biography: Writer; homemaker. Born– October 4, 1914, Brilliant, Ala. Parents– Howard L. and Josephine (Cochran) Thomas. Married– Guy Thomas Halbrooks, September 30, 1935. Children– Two. Education– Graduate of John Herbert Phillips High School, 1933; correspondence course in creative writing, Christian Writers School, 1966. Contributor to anthologies, poetry magazines, and Sunday school materials. Awards from Alabama…

Biography: Civil engineer. Born– April 21, 1884, Birmingham. Parents– John Marvin and Alice Elizabeth (McWilliams) Huey. Married– Julia Lee Jones, June 20, 1906. Children– One. Education– Howard College, B.S., 1904. Employed as civil engineer for eight years; city engineer, East Lake, 1907-1908; assistant city engineer, Birmingham, 1909-1910; resident engineer, Seaboard Air Line Railroad, two years;…

Biography: Historian; university professor. Born– November 2, 1942, Talladega. Parents– Daniel W. and Eleanor Keith (Parker) Hollis. Married– Lynda Akin, September 4, 1966. Children– Two. Education– University of Georgia, B.A., 1964; Auburn University, M.A., 1968; Vanderbilt University, Ph.D., 1972. Taught at Auburn University, 1965-1966; W.L. Yancey State Junior College, 1966-1967; Vanderbilt University, 1968-1970; worked for…

Biography: Lawyer, editor. Born– May 14, 1876, in Columbus, Ga. Parents– James Walton and Gertrude Garrard Harris. Married– Mary Lou Sykes, November 14, 1906. Education– University of Georgia, North Georgia Agricultural College; Millsaps College, LL.B., 1902. Practiced law in Jackson, Miss., 1903-1911; special agent, U.S. Department of Commerce to Latin America, 1914-1917; specialist and editor, Federal…

Biography: Banker. Born– May 5, 1864, in Boligee, Greene Co. Parents– Horace and Eliza Proctor (Gould) Harding. Married– Amanda Moore, October 22, 1895. Children– Two. Education– University of Alabama, A.B., 1880, A.M., 1881. Clerk and bookkeeper, J.H. Fitts & Co. Bank in Tuscaloosa; bookkeeper and cashier, Berney National Bank, Birmingham; vice president, later president, First…

Biography: Poet; literary scholar; university professor. Born– November 6, 1942, Montgomery. Grew up in California. Parents– Loyce Virgil and Vernell Mann Helms. Married– Penelope Palmer, August 1, 1964.  Married–Susan McCraw. Children– One. Education– University of California in Riverside, B.A., 1964; University of Washington, Ph.D., 1968. Taught English at the University of California in Los Angeles, 1968-1977 and Arizona…

Biography: Health services administrator. Born– October 10, 1911, Birmingham. Parents– Beauregard and Ethel Therese (Jungill) Miller. Married– Thomas C. Gorman, April 11, 1939. Children– Two. Education– Study at Howard College, 1928-1929; Rollins College, A.B., 1932; graduate work at Washington University, 1937; Tulane University, 1959. Health services administrator in Birmingham; director of Birmingham Mental Health Association. …