Alabama Authors

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  • ATKINS, OLIVER FRAZER, 1916-1977

    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…

  • PARK, ROBERT EMORY, 1843-1909

    Biography: Teacher; publishers’ agent; elected official. Born– January 13, 1843, LaGrange, Ga. Parents– John (founder of LaGrange College) and Sarah (Neary) Park. Married– Stella Swanson; Married– Ella H. Holt (died 1890)– Two children; Married– Emily Hendree Stewart, April 27, 1892.   Education– Attended Greenville Academy and Brownwood Institute in LaGrange; Emory University and Alabama A &…

  • DeJARNETTE, DAVID LLOYD, 1907-1991

    Biography: Archaeologist, museum curator, university professor of anthropology. Born–June 2, 1907, Bessemer. Parents– James Terry and Daisy Marbut DeJarnette.  Married Elizabeth Lavonda Jennings, 1935.  Children– One. Education– University of Alabama, B.S. in electrical engineering, 1929; University of Illinois Field School in archaeology, 1931; University of Alabama, M.A., 1959. Served in the Coast Artillery in World War…

  • COUNCILL, WILLIAM HOOPER, 1848-1909

    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…

  • CORY, MARIELOU ARMSTRONG, 1859-1951

    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…

  • HOLLOWAY, LUCY ARIEL WILLIAMS, 1905-1973

    Biography: Musician, educator, poet. Born– March 3, 1905, Mobile. Parents– Dr.  H. Roger Williams and Fannie Brandon Williams.  Married–Joaquin M. Holloway.  Children–one.  Education– Emerson Institute, Mobile; graduate of Talladega College, 1922; Fisk University, B.A., 1926; Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Bachelor of Music with a maor in piano and a minor in voice, 1926.  Further study…

  • McWILLIAMS, RICHEBOURG GAILLARD, 1901-1986

    Biography: Historian; College professor. Born– June 24, 1901, Oak Hill, Ala. Married– Dorothy Schultz, 1937. Education– B.S., 1922; A.M., 1925; A.M., University of Alabama, 1933; University of Wisconsin; University of Puerto Rico; Columbia University; University of Munich, Germany. Employed by Continuation School, Cabo Rojo, P.R., 1922-1923; University of Alabama, 1923-1925; Birmingham Southern College, 1928-1970; head,…

  • McWHORTER, CHARLES COKER, 1904-1982

    Biography: Accountant. Born– Waxahatchie, Tex., March 18, 1904. Parents– Charles P. and Iva M. (Coker) McWhorter. Married– Alma R. Stockton, September 2, 1923. Children– Three. Education– Moulton, Ala. High School; courses in banking and real estate. Employed as cashier, Bank of Moulton, 1928-1945; chairman, Board of Revenue, Lawrence County, Ala., 1950-1963; U.S. Department of Commerce,…

  • WARD, ROBINSON J., JR., 1934-

    Biography: Journalist; newspaper editor.  Born– July 29, 1934, in Birmingham, Ala. Parents–Robinson J. Ward Sr. and Margaret Ward.  Education– University of Alabama, B.A., 1956.  Managing editor, Huntsville Times. One of three United States newspaper editors invited to People’s Republic of China for first formal exchange of journalists, 1980. Source: The Light Stuff. Publication(s): A Funny Thing Happened…

  • DANTON, EMILY MILLER, 1888-1982.

    Biography: Librarian; editor. Born– July 8, 1888, Jackson, Miss. Parents– Thomas Marshall and Anna Letitia Dabney Miller. Married– J. Peran Danton. Education– Newcomb College, B.A., 1907; additional study at Columbia University. Certified as a librarian in New York in 1911.  Branch assistant for the Minneapolis Public Library, 1911-1914; reference librarian in Birmingham Public Library, 1914-1920;  hospital…

  • CADENHEAD, IVIE EDWARD, JR., 1923-1985

    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…

  • CALDWELL, RONALD JAMES, 1943-

    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;…

  • CALLAHAN, ALSTON, 1911-2005

    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;…

  • WALLACE, GEORGE CORLEY, 1919-1998.

    Biography: Attorney;  45th governor of Alabama; presidential candidate. Born– August 25, 1919, in Clio, Ala. Parents– George C. and Mozell (Smith) Wallace. Married– Lurleen Burns, May 23, 1943. Children– Four. Married– Cornelia Ellis Snively, June 4, 1971. Married– Lisa Taylor, September, 1981. Education– University of Alabama, LL.B., 1942. Admitted to Alabama bar, 1942. U.S. Air…

  • WALKER, ALYCE BILLINGS, 1907-1996.

    Biography: Journalist, teacher. Born–August 15, 1907 in Birmingham, Ala. Parents– Edward and Jessie (Culbert) Billings. Married– Erskine Ramsey Walker in 1934. Education– Judson College, A.B., 1928. Taught in public schools of Birmingham 1928-30. Society editor, Birmingham Post, 1930-1943; feature writer, Birmingham News, 1944-1947; director women’s dept., 1947-1960; associate editor, 1960-. Taught at Samford University, 1964-. Director,…

  • THOMAS, MABEL CLARE RANDALL, 1887-1975

    Biography: Journalist. Born– Jan. 18, 1887 in Livingston, Ala. Parents– Newton Fox and Clare (Brown) Randall. Married– James Manning Wrenn, July 31, 1906. Children– Two. Married– Frank L. Thomas, Apr. 25, 1917. Children– Three. Education– attended Alabama Normal College and Holbrook Normal College. Columnist for Birmingham News, Montgomery Advertiser, Opelika News, Our Southern Home of…

  • TEN HOOR, MARTEN, 1890-1967

    Biography: Educator, writer. Born– Apr. 21, 1890 in Franeker, Netherlands. Parents– Foppe Marten and Elizabeth Petranella (Kok) ten Hoor. Came to the U.S. in 1896; became a naturalized U.S. citizen, 1918. . Married– Marie Magdalen Schanz, Dec. 31, 1920. Served in the U.S. Army, WWI, 1918-1919.  Education– attended Calvin Jr. College in 1909; University of Michigan,…

  • GERBER, ISRAEL JOSHUA, 1918-2011

    Biography: Rabbi, professor, lecturer, writer.  Born– July 30, 1918, in New York City. Parents– Max and Sadie Leah Schuster Gerber. Married–Sydelle Reba Katzman, January 9, 1943.  Children–three. Education– Yeshiva University, B.A., 1939; City College of New York, M.A., 1940; Boston University, Ph. D., 1950. Ordained as rabbi, 1941. Active duty in the US Army during…

  • GENTRY, DOROTHY DEAN FREE, 1921-2012

    Biography: Local historian; journalist. Born September 15, 1921, Lawrence Co. Parents– John Harvey and Minnie Dale (Burch) Free. Married– H. Clifton Gentry, February 12, 1942. Children– Two. Resident of Hartford, Kentucky; for many years.  Columnist, writer and editor of the Ohio County Times; columnist for the Ohio County Times-News.  Researcher and collector of early countiana.  Died August 1,…

  • GODDARD, NETTYE GEORGE KENT, 1923-2010

    Biography: Educator. Born– May 22, 1923, Gadsden. Parents– Lafayette and Virginia Allen (Gould) Kent. Married– George Goddard, May 15, 1943. Children– Two. Education– Talladega College, A.B., 1942; San Jose State University, M.A., 1973; further study at the University of the Pacific. Taught English in Gadsden, 1942-1943; San Jose, Calif., Unified School District, 1957-1969; coordinator of…

  • DEAL, BORDEN, 1922-1985

    Biography: Novelist. Born– October 12, 1922, Pontotoc, Mississippi. Parents– Borden Lee and Jimmie Anne (Smith) Deal. Married–(1) Lillian Slobtotsky, 1950. One child. (2) Babs Hodges, 1952. Children-three. (3) Patricia Deal.  Education–attended business school in Jackson, Mississippi;  University of Alabama, B.A., 1949; graduate study at Mexico City College 1950. Military service U. S. Navy 1942-45. Published his first short…

  • DAVIS, POSEY OLIVER, 1890-1973

    Biography: Agricultural Extension Service official; college administrator; radio pioneer.  Born– August 15, 1890, Athens. Parents– Richard Scoggins and Elizabeth (Barker) Davis. Married– Mildred Kilburn, June 19, 1918. Education– Attended Potter College, Bowling Green, Ky.; Alabama Polytechnic Institute, B.S., 1916; graduate study at API. Employed by Agricultural Extension Service to work with 4-H Clubs, beginning in…

  • DAVIS, HARRIET JAMES “JIMMIE” MORROW, 1896-1978

    Biography: Teacher;  writer.  Born– October 22, 1896,  Guntersville. Parents–James K. and Mary Ann Copeland Morrow.  Married–Hugh McCrory,  Tennessee legislator, January 2, 1921 (died 1935); married George Harding (died 1958); married Clyde J. Davis. Education:  graduated from Chilton County High School, 1915; studied at Howard College and Peabody Insitute, Nashville.  Worked as a  schoolteacher in Birmingham;…

  • DAVIS, MARY EVELINA MOORE, 1844-1909

    Biography: Writer; editor, socialite. Born– April 12, 1844 in White Plains, Benton County (became Calhoun County, 1858).  Parents– John and Marian Lucinda (Crutchfield) Moore. Married– Thomas Edward Davis, October 20, 1874.  Educated at home by her mother and intermittently at local schools in Alabama and Texas, where her family moved in 1855. Continued her education…

  • DAVIS, HARWELL GOODWIN, 1882-1977

    Biography: Attorney; State government official;  college president. Born– November 23, 1882, Marengo County. Parents:  Thomas Wyley and Mary Kate Goodwin Davis. Married– Lena Vail, December 15, 1917.  Children– Three. Education– South Alabama Baptist Institute at Thomasville, A.B., 1899; University of Alabama, Bachelor of Laws, 1903. Military service:  U. S. Army Infantry, WWI, 1918-1919; retired at…

  • DAVIS, ANGELA YVONNE, 1944-

    Biography: University professor, writer, activist. Born– January 26, 1944, Birmingham. Parents– B. Frank and Sally E. Davis. Education– attended the Sorbonne, 1963-64; Brandeis University, B.A., 1965; graduate study, University of Frankfurt, 1965-1967; University of California at San Diego, M.A., 1968; additional study, 1968-1969. Ph. D. Humboldt University.   Taught philosophy at U.C.L.A., 1969-1970; University of…

  • DAVIS, CHARLES SHEPARD, 1910-1993.

    Biography: Professor of history, college president. Born– August 13, 1910, Mobile. Parents– Matthew and Ruth (Shepard) Davis. Married– Mary Greenfield Merritt, June 6, 1936.  Children–three. Education– Auburn Polytechnic Institute, B.S., 1931; M.S., 1932; Duke University, Ph.D., 1938. U.S. Army Air Force, 1942-45. Assistant professor of history, Auburn, 1937-1942; Florida State University, 1947-1959; professor of history…

  • DANGAIX, WILLIAM JOSEPH, 1864-1943

    Biography: Businessman (banking, insurance, real estate). Born– September 16, 1864, Philadelphia, Pa. Parents– Joseph and Mary (Lasserre) Dangaix. Education:  Institute d’Etudes francaises de Touraine, Tours, France; Sorbonne, Paris.   General agent, Southern States Agricultural Insurance Co. Organized and served as first president of the Birmingham Savings Bank, which later merged into the First National Bank of Birmingham. Retired from…

  • JACKSON, GEORGE PULLEN, 1874-1953

    Biography: Ethnomusicologist, linguist, college professor. Born– August 20, 1874, Monson, Maine (moved to Birmingham as a child). Parents– George Frederick and Ann Jane (Pullen) Jackson. Married– Inez Emeline Wright, December 23, 1906 (died 1918).  Children–two. Married– Lois Diantha Barnes, December 18, 1926 (died 1939). Education– Royal Conservatory of Music, Dresden, 1897-1898; Vanderbilt University, 1900-1901; University…

  • BAKER, JOHN NEWTON, 1915-

    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,…

  • EMERSON, O. B., 1921-1990.

    Professor of English. Born March 1, 1921, Ripley, Tenn. Parents: O.B. and Lola (Bibb) Emerson. Education– Lambuth College, B.A., 1943; Vanderbilt University, M.A., 1946; Ph.D., 1962. Taught English at Webb School, Bell Buckle, Tenn., 1944-45; Taught at the University of Alabama, 1946-1986.  A member of the Modern Language Association, American Dialect Society, National Council of Teachers…

  • ALLEN, WARD SYKES, 1922-

    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…

  • KROLL, HARRY HARRISON, 1888-1967

    Biography: Writer, teacher. Born– February 18, 1888, Indiana.  Moved with his family  to the piney woods area of Marengo County as a child. Parents–Darius Wesley and Caroline M. Cripe.  Married–Nettie Heard, May 12, 1911.  Children–three.  Education– Little early education; worked at sawmilling and photography while preparing on his own for the state teachers examination.  Taught in Alabama…

  • GANDRUD, PAULINE JONES, 1904-1980.

    Biography: Historian, genealogist. Born– May 9, 1904, Huntsville. Parents– George Walter and Evalena (Moore) Jones. Married– Bennie William Gandrud, November 29, 1930. Children– One. Education– Study at Peabody Conservatory, 1922-1924. Kathleen Pauline Jones began compiling a genealogy at seventeen. After her marriage, continued compiling and indexing the Alabama marriage, cemetery, court, and other records comprising…

  • ADKINS, WALTER ROBERTS, JR, 1921-2011

    Biography; U.S. Army officer.  Born–September 21, 1921, Montevallo.  Parents– Walter R. and Clara E. Adkins.  Married– Jacquelyn Boyette.  Education– U. S. Military Academy, graduated 1945; University of Alabama, M. A., 1956; Ph. D., 1981.  United States Army, 1945-1975; served in World War II, the Korean conflict, and the Vietnam War; retired with the rank of Colonel, 1975. …

  • ABERNETHY, THOMAS PERKINS, 1890-1975.

    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;…

  • MAEHL, WILLIAM HARVEY, 1915-

    Biography: University professor; historian. Born– May 28, 1915, Brooklyn, N.Y. Parents– William Henry and Antoinette (Salamone) Maehl. Married– Josephine Scholl McAllister, December 29, 1941. Children– Two. Education– B.S., M.A., Northwestern University, 1937-1939; Ph.D., University of Chicago, 1946. Employed as instructor, St. Louis University (1942-43), Centenary College (1943-44); DePaul University, (1944-1950); U.S. Army military historian, European…

  • MACON, LEON MEERTIEF, 1908-1965

    Biography: Baptist clergyman. Born– October 25, 1908, Whatley, Clarke County, Ala. Parents– James William and Martha (Kelly) Macon. Married– Emily May Bodden. Education– A.B., Howard College, 1933; D.D., 1949; Th.M., Southern Baptist Seminary, 1938. Employed as minister, Bay Minette, Athens, Atmore, Bessemer, Ala., West Point, Ga. Member– Alabama Baptist Board, Radio and Television Commission of the…

  • VAN ANTWERP, EMILY STAPLES

    See Hearin, Emily Staples van Antwerp

  • BLACKFORD, RANDOLPH FAIRFAX, 1890-1975

    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…

  • MOSES, LOUISE JANE, 1912-1987

    Biography: Librarian; poet. Born– Anniston, Ala., January 2, 1912.  Parents; Stephen E. and Della C. Moses.  Education– A.B., Talladega College; M.L.S, Atlanta University. Employed as a service club director, Fort McClellan, Ala.; special services hostess, U.S. Air Force, Germany; librarian, Albany State College; Booker Washington Business College, Birmingham; University of Southern California; Los Angeles County…

  • MOSES, ALFRED GEIGER, 1878-1956

    Biography: Rabbi. Born– Livingston, Ala., September 23, 1878. Parents– Adolph and Emma (Isaacs) Moses. Married– Birdie Feld, June 2, 1925. Children– One. Education– Louisville, Ky.; B.A., University of Cincinnati, 1900; Hebrew Union College, 1901. Employed as rabbi, Temple Shaarai Shomayim, Mobile. Member– Mobile city, county departments of public welfare; Iberville Historical Society; Society for International…

  • CURZON, GRACE ELVINA TRILLIA HINDS, 1879-1958

    Biography: Socialite.  Born April 14, 1879,  Decatur, Alabama. Parents  J. Monroe Hinds (former Ambassador to Brazil) and Lucia Anita Trillia Hinds.  Married (1) Alfred Duggan , May 1, 1902 (died 1915). Three children. Married (2) Lord George Nathaniel Curzon, February 2, 1917.  (Curzon, an influential British politician and former Viceroy of India, served as Foreign Secretary, 1919-1924; died…

  • WARD, MARY BEHRENDSEN, 1898-1985

    Biography: Journalist. Born– Selma, Ala. Parents– Henry and Mary (Smitherman) Behrendsen. Married– Herbert J. Ward. Education– University of Alabama. Editor, Gammadion (literary magazine), 1925-1927; contributing editor, Yankee Humor, 1926-1927; associate editor, Poetry Forum, 1930-1931; feature writer, Birmingham News, 1932-1933; member, editorial staff, Alabama Federation of Women’s Clubs Magazine, 1935-1936. Member– Alabama Writers Conclave, National League…

  • UNGERMANN, KENNETH ARMISTEAD, 1916-2008

    Biography: Journalist, businessman, homesteader; commercial fisherman.  Born– October 23, 1916, Birmingham, Ala. Parents– Charles Henry and Elizabeth G. (Armistead) Ungermann. Married– Judith B. Ponsonby, December 20, 1951. Children– Three. Education– Phillips Academy, 1931-1932; high school in Bronxville, N.Y. Owned a Chevrolet dealership in Oyster Bay, N.Y., 1938-1942. American Field Service Subsection Leader in North Africa,…

  • THOMPSON, HENRIETTA MARY, 1896-1986

    Biography: Home economist; educator. Born– April 12, 1896, New Orleans, La. Parents– George P. and Alphonsine (Walz) Thompson. Education– Newcomb College, A.B.; Columbia University, M.A. Taught at Lewisburg College, 1917-1919; University of Georgia, 1919-1922; Alabama Polytechnic Institute, 1923-1928; University of Alabama after 1928; with South Carolina Extension Service (Winthrop) in summer 1926 and U.S. Bureau…

  • GARNER, SAMUEL PAUL, 1910-1996

    Biography: Professor of accounting, university dean. Born– August 15, 1910, in Yadkinville, N.C. Parents– Samuel W. and Ila Jane (Hoots) Garner. Education– Duke University, A.B., 1932; A.M., 1934; University of Texas, Ph.D., 1940.  Married– Ruth Bailey, August 25, 1935. Children– Three. Professor of accounting, University of Alabama, 1939-1971;  dean, College of Commerce, University of Alabama, 1954-1971.…

  • HEARIN, EMILY STAPLES VAN ANTWERP, 1914-2005

    Civic leader; author.  Born– February 22, 1914.  Parents–Alfred Louis and  Anna Louise Morriss Staples.  Married–Sidney P. van Antwerp, February 6, 1946.  Children– four.  Married–W. J. Hearin, 1981.  Education– Murphy High School, Mobile, graduated 1934; Holton Arms School, Washington, DC.  Active in many civic and charitable causes; Chair of the Civilian Defense Bureau in World War…

  • PANNELL, ANNE THOMAS GARY, 1910-1984

    Biography: Historian, university professor, college president. Born– September 10, 1910, Durham, N.C. Parents– Alexander Henry and Anne Roche (Thomas) Gary. Married– Henry Clifton Pannell, September 2, 1936 (died 1946); married George A. Taylor. Children– Two. Education– Barnard College, B.A., 1931; Ph.D., Oxford University, 1935. Taught at Alabama College, 1934-1935; University of Alabama, 1939-1949; Academic Dean,…

  • HOLMES, JACK DAVID LAZARUS, 1930-

    Biography: Historian; University Professor, writer. Born– July 4, 1930, in Long Branch, Monmouth Country, N.J. Parents– John Daniel and Waltrude (Hendrickson) Lazarus. Married–Anne Elizabeth Anthony, 1952; children–three.  Married– Martha Austin Reid, 1966; married– Gayle Carlson Pannell, 1967; children–one; married– Stephanie Pasneker, 1971. Education– Florida State University, B.A., 1952; University of Florida, M.A., 1953; National University…

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