Alabama Authors

Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

  • REID, DELBERT,

    Sportswriter. Sports editor of the Tuscaloosa News. Writer in Residence at the Paul Bryant Museum in Tuscaloosa. Publications; All of Us Fought the War.  Distributed for the Paul W. Bryant Museum by the University of Alabama Press, 2013. Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant:  What Made Him a Winner. When Winning Was Everything:  Alabama Football Players in World…

  • BRADLEY, JAMES T., 1948-

    Biologist; university professor. University of Washington, Seattle, Ph. D., 1976. Professor of biology at Auburn University, 1976-2010 . Published many articles and reviews. Director of the Human Odyssey Program at Auburn (examining connections between science and the humanities). Edited the Journal of the Alabama Academy of Science, 1990-2005. Awarded the 2002 Academic Freedom Award of…

  • MILLER, REX, 1929-

    Biography: College professor; vocational instructor. Born– May 18, 1929, Jacksonville, Ala. Parents– James Otho and Leila Beatrice (Thompson) Miller. Married– Patricia Ann Navara, August 22, 1953. Children– Three. Education– B.A., University of Northern Iowa, 1953; M.A., Northern Colorado University, 1956; Ed.D., State University of New York College, Buffalo, 1961. Employed as a radio engineer and…

  • GARRETT, ALLEN McCAIN, 1924-2008

    Biography: Musician; musicologist; university professor. Born– March 29, 1924, Birmingham; grew up in Chapel Hill, NC. Parents– Mitchell Bennett and Dora Mayfred (Matthews) Garrett. Married– Louise Lynch Jones, June 5, 1948. Children– Three. Education– University of North Carolina, A.B., 1947, M.A., 1949, Ph.D., 1952. Served in the U. S. Navy, WWII. Faculty member, Catholic University…

  • LEWIS, KATE PORTER, 1893-1993

    Biography: Playwright; Poet. Born– Greenville, 1894. Parents– Oscar Richardson and Abbie (Flowers) Porter. Married– John C. Lewis, April, 1921 (died 1929).  Children–four.  Education– Birmingham-Southern College, A.B., 1936; University of North Carolina, M. A. in Dramatic Arts, 1939.  Served in the Red Cross and the American Motor Transport Corps in France during World War I; home service secretary, Red Cross,…

  • DUNN, FLOYD R., 1906-1994

    Biography: Accountant. Born– March 14, 1906, Winston County. Parents– Jim E. and Laura Gertrude (Buchanan) Dunn. Married– Chlora Curtis, June 8, 1936. Children– Two. Education– Pan American College, 1928; University of Alabama, 1933-1935; studied at La Salle Extension University, 1940-1944 Certified public accountant; worked for various gas companies in North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, and…

  • FLOYD, JOHN ALEX, JR., 1948-

    Publishing executive; horticulturist, editor, writer. Born– February 21, 1948, Selma. Parents– Alex and Louise (Johnson) Floyd. Married– Pamela Lorene Billups.  Children–two. Education– Auburn University, B.S., 1970; M.S., 1972; Clemson University, Ph.D., 1975. Served as an agricultural science assistant at Clemson, 1973-1975; headed agricultural technical program at Jefferson State Junior College, 1975-1977; senior horticulturist for “Southern…

  • TURNER, MAXINE THOMPSON, 1935-2016

    Biography: Historian; College professor. Born– Mar. 27, 1935 in Butler, Ga. Parents– Mack Thompson and Jessie (Jones) Turner. Education– Huntingdon College, B.A.; Auburn University, M.A., Ph.D.; University of Maryland and University of Edinburgh. Taught at Auburn University, 1957-1958; Columbus Center, University of Georgia, 1958; Montgomery College, Tacoma Park, Md., 1961-1962; Upper Iowa College, 1962-1963; Auburn…

  • TILFORD, EARL H., JR., 1945-

    Biography; Military officer; historian; professor of history.  Born August 17, 1945, St. Petersburg, Florida. Parents– Earl H. and Norma Davis Tilford.  Married– Grace Finnegan, April 27, 1974.  Children–two.  Education–University of Alabama, B.A., M.A., 1969; George Washington University, Ph. D., 1984.  Served in U.S. Air Force, 1869-89; retired as major.  Associate professor of history, Troy State…

  • DAVIS, WILLIAM HATCHER, 1939-2017

    Biography: University professor of philosophy. Born– January 5, 1939, Frankewing, Tenn. Parents– George B. and Lois Sawyers Davis. Married–Jill Hunt. Children–four. Education– Abilene Christian College, B.A., 1960; M.A., 1961; Rice University, Ph.D., 1965. Taught at the University of Houston, 1964-1966; Auburn University, 1966-2013. Member of the American, Southwestern, and Alabama Philosophical Associations, the C.S. Peirce Society,…

  • SANCHEZ, SONIA, 1934-

    Biography: Poet; university professor; civil rights activist. Born– Sept. 9, 1934, in Birmingham, Ala. Parents– Wilson L. and Lena (Jones) Driver. Married–Albert Sanchez.  Married (2)– Etheridge Knight. Children– Three. Education– Hunter College, B.A., 1955; New York University M.A.  Taught at Downtown Community School in San Francisco, San Francisco State College, University of Pittsburgh, Rutgers University, Manhattan…

  • DICKMAN, BYRON A., 1916-2005

    Biography: Engineer, businessman. Born– January 22, 1916, Defiance, Ohio. Parents– Blaine and Grace (Burkett) Dickman. Married– Nell Chester, December 24, 1941. Children– One. Education–graduated from high school in Bay Minette;  Alabama Polytechnic Institute, B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, 1943. Worked for York Corporation, in York, Pennsylvania, 1943-1945; for Nolin Manufacturing Corporation, 1948-1970. Founded Summit Equipment Corporation in 1972 and sold it…

  • LES TINA, DOROTHY, 1917-2003

    Biography: Teacher, writer. Born– October 7, 1917, Chicago, Ill. Parents– Frank James and Emmie (Faulkenberg) Les Tina. Married– Frederik Pohl, 1945. Married– Richmond E. Johnson, August 9, 1952. Education– San Diego State Teachers College; Army Officer’s Candidate School; New School for Social Research. Taught elementary level and adult classes in psychical research and creative writing;…

  • BUXTON, CLYNE, 1923-

    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…

  • JONES, MOLLIE HOLLIFIELD, 1884-1963

    Biography: Teacher; civic leader. Born– September 14, 1884, Auburn. Parents– Henry Addison and Mary (Teague) Hollifield. Married– Herman Douglas Jones, August 22, 1925. Education– Alabama Polytechnic Institute, B.S., 1902, M.S., 1905; graduate work in botany at University of California, 1911, and Columbia University, 1915, 1920 and 1927. Taught Latin and French in high schools in Dothan,…

  • JONES, JOHN MAXWELL, JR., 1921-2000

    Biography: Historian, linguist, teacher. Born– January 1, 1921, Atmore. Parents–  John Maxwell Jones Sr. and Marjorie Leonidas Brooks Jones. Education– University of Alabama, B.A., 1942, M.A., 1954; University College of North Wales, Bangor; University of Brussels; Institut de Touraine, Diplome d’Etude Francaises. Served in an anti-aircraft battalion in Europe in World War II Taught foreign languages…

  • BENNETT, WALTER, 1943-

    Biography; Attorney; judge, law professor, writer.  Born–Tuscaloosa, 1943.  Married– Betsy M. Bennett. Education– Washington and Lee, B.A., 1965; University of North Carolina, M.A.,; University of Virginia Law School, J.D.  Worked at the Tuscaloosa News in the 1970’s; practiced law and served as a district court judge in Charlotte, N.C.; joined the UNC Law School faculty…

  • STROTHER, CLAUDIA PATRICK WALLACE, 1929-

    Biography: Broadcaster, clerical worker, novelist. Born– March 11, 1929, Birmingham. Parents– Claude Hunter and Gladys Eleanor (English) Wallace. Married– Lee Levitt, June, 1951. Married– David G. Latner, August, 1958. Married– Robert A. Strother, 1980.  Education– University of Tennessee, 1947-1951; Columbia University, 1962. Women’s program director, WGNS Radio, Murfreesboro, Tenn., 1951-1952; copy chief and announcer, WMAK Radio,…

  • HARRIS, MAY, 1873-1965

    Biography: Writer. Born– Robinson Springs, Elmore County,  August 2, 1873. Parents– Joseph Archibald and India (Crenshaw) Harris. Education– At home and with private tutors. Contributor of short stories, essays, and one-act plays to Harpers Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Lippincotts, and other magazines. Worked as a clerk in the state tax office,  Elmore County. Died…

  • WILLIS, MARY FARLEY, 1901-1997

    Biography: Secretary, teacher. Born– May 25, 1901, in Clanton, Ala. Parents– John Boyd and Mary Ann Rebecca (Popwell) Farley. Married– Harlum E. Willis, December 5, 1934. Children– One. Education– Chilton County High School; Southern Junior College, Ooltewah, Tenn. Secretary-bookkeeper, Alabama Conference, Seventh Day Adventists, Clanton, 1923-1928; secretary, Southern Publishing Association, Nashville, 1928-1931. Taught elementary grades,…

  • FRANCIS, HERBERT EDWARD, JR., 1924-

    Writer; teacher of writing. Born– January 11, 1924, Bristol, R.I. Parents– Herbert E. and Evelyn E. (Verity) Francis. Children– One adopted son. Education– University of Wisconsin, B.A.; Brown University, M.A. U.S. Army Air Force, 1942-45. Awarded Fulbright Fellowship to study at Pembroke College, Oxford University, 1953-1954; University of Cuyo, Argentina, 1964. Taught at Pennsylvania State University, 1950-1952; University…

  • FOX, DOROTHEA WARREN, 1914-1999

    Commercial artist, illustrator. Born– January 31, 1914, Birmingham. Parents– William Tilman and Dorothea (Orr) Warren. Married– Charles Fox, February 15, 1940. Children– Four. Education, Birmingham-Southern College, 1932-1934. Worked as a commercial artist and illustrator of books and journal articles; participated in Connecticut Artist-in-the-Classroom program, 1969-73.   Died July 22, 1999. Source: Contemporary Authors online; obituary at findagrave.com Publications;…

  • ROY, SARAH SPENCER, 1901-1986

    Biography: Musician, teacher, civic worker. Born– October 13, 1901, Port Gibson, Miss. Parents– Horatio Nelson and Ellie Mae (Hartwell) Spencer. Married– Kenneth Bennett Roy, September 9, 1925. Children– Three. Education– Grenada College; Port Gibson College; Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. Taught music in El Dorado, Ark.; public school supervisor and private music teacher. Received an award from…

  • COLLINS, CHARLES WALLACE, 1879-1964

    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…

  • SPENCER, OCTAVIA, 1970-

    Biography: Actor; author. Born– May 25, 1970, Montgomery. Education: Auburn University at Montgomery, Auburn, B.S., 1989. Actor in television and films beginning 1989. Best known for the role of Minny Jackson in The Help. Won a BAFTA and was named Best Supporting Actress, 2012; has won many other awards for her work as an actor.…

  • NICHOLS, LORI

    Biography: Author and illustrator of children’s books.  Born–Pennsylvania. Currently lives in Birmingham. Children–three. First place, SCBWI portfolio award, 2014; runner-up 2012, 2013. Source: Lori Nichols website Publications: Maple. Nancy Paulsen Books, 2014. Maple and Willow Apart.  2015. Maple and Willow Together.  2014. Illustrator: This Orq. (He cave boy).  2014. This Orq. (He say “Ugh”).  2015.…

  • COLEMAN, ELIZABETH TYLER, 1892-1981

    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…

  • BROUGHTON, PANTHEA REID

    See Reid, Panthea

  • DUNCAN, R. SCOT, 1969- .

    Biography; Biologist; professor of biology.  Born– Gulf Breeze, Florida.  Education; Eckerd College, B.S., 1993;  University of Florida, M.S. in Zoology, 1998; Ph. D., 2001.  Taught at the University of Florida, 2001-02; at Birmingham-Southern College beginning in 2002.  Has conducted research in Costa Rica, Panama, Antartica, and Uganda.  Publishes articles in scientific journals and anthologies. Boy…

  • WEAVER, LILA QUINTERO, 1956-

      Biography; Writer. Born–Buenos Aires, Argentina. Moved to Marion, Alabama, 1961. Married–Paul Weaver. Education–B.A., University of Alabama. Received the 2013 Druid Arts Award from the Arts Council of Tuscaloosa; Darkroom was named one of the Notable Books for a Global Society in 2013 by the International Reading Association. Sources: University of Alabama Press website. Publications;…

  • CRAMER, DALE LEWIS, 1924-2015

    Biography: Economist; University professor. Born– June 25, 1924, Dixon, Ill. Parents,; Ray C. and Rebecca (Levan) Cramer. Married– Hula Jeana Bond, August 30, 1946. Children– Three. Education– Bradley University, B.S., 1949; M.A., 1951; Louisiana State University, Ph.D., 1958. Served in U.S. Army, WWII. Taught at Louisiana State, 1953-1954; University of Texas, El Paso, 1955-1958; at the…

  • LEFTWICH, NINA, 1881-1968

    Biography: Teacher. Born November 16, 1881, Sheffield.   Parents– Charles William and  Theodocia Margaret (Morring) Leftwich. Education– University of Alabama,  George Peabody College, M.A., 1929. Operated the Leftwich Antique and Gift Shop in Sheffield; taught at Coffee High School, Florence; Florence State Teachers College; extension department of Howard College. Member– Daughters of the American Revolution; Tennessee Valley…

  • COWLES, MILLY, 1932-

    Biography: Teacher, university professor of education; educational consultant. Born– May 29, 1932, Ramer. Parents– Russell Fail and Sara (Mills) Cowles. Education– Troy State University, B.S., 1952, University of Alabama, M.A., 1958, Ph.D., 1962. Taught in Floyd Elementary School, Montgomery, from 1952-1959; served on the faculty of Rutgers University, 1962-97; , University of Georgia, 1966-67; University of South Carolina,…

  • FLOYD, DENNIS STEWART, 1925-2001

    Teacher, university instructor. Born– Guntersville, February 28, 1925. Parents– Dennis and Annie Mae (Stewart) Floyd. Education– A.M.E. Church School and Lakeview School in Guntersville; Central State College in Ohio, B.A.; Michigan State University, M.A. Served as a teacher with the Peace Corps in Liberia; taught at the Universities of Michigan and Maryland. Died January 17,…

  • FRYE, WILLIAM FENNER, JR., 1908-1961

    Journalist; public information director. Born– January 9, 1908, Montgomery.  Parents– William F. Frye, Sr., and Hattie Belle Booth Frye. Married– Ida Mary Atkinson. Children–three. Education– Harvard University, 1940. Reporter in Gadsden, Birmingham, and Nashville, Tenn.; joined staff of Associated Press, covering the War Department in Washington during World War II; part time staff of Stars…

  • FRY, ANNA MARIA GAYLE, 1852-1930

    Housewife; author. Born– August 17, 1852, Cahaba, Dallas County. Parents– Rees Darrington and Mary Louisa (Gill) Gayle. Married– Dr. Joseph Talbot Fry, April 9, 1890. Education– Tutored at home.  Lived in Galveston, Texas, and then in Selma with her husband.  Died January 26, 1930. Source: Owen’s The Story of Alabama, Vol. III,  findagrave.com Publication(s): Memories…

  • FRAZER, WILLIAM HENRY, 1873-1953

    Presbyterian minister, college president. Born– September 16, 1873, LaFayette. Parents– John Alexander and Nancy Emiline (Abernathy) Frazer. Married– Sarah Winnie Jones, October 25, 1899. Children– Three. Education– Southwestern Presbyterian University, A.B., 1897; Union Theological Seminary, B.D., 1899.  Ordained a Presbyterian minister, 1899. Served churches in Atlanta and Macon, Ga.; Anderson, S.C. Headmaster of Frazer Fitting…

  • COOK, THOMAS H., 1947-

    Biography: Writer. Born– September 19, 1947, Fort Payne. Parents– Virgil Richard and Myrick (Harper) Cook. Married– Susan Terner, March 17, 1978. Children– One. Education– Georgia State College, B.A., 1969; Hunter College of the City University of New York, M.A. 1972; Columbia University, Master of Philosophy, 1976. Advertising executive for U.S. Industrial Chemicals in New York…

  • GREER, VIRGINIA BRADFORD, 1919-2008

    Biography: Reporter, free-lance writer. Born– March 30, 1919, in Atlanta, Ga. (moved to Birmingham at the age of three with her family).  Parents– John and Floy (Jarrett) Bradford. Married– John Robert Greer, Sr., December 23, 1936.  Children–three. Education– diploma, Newspaper Institute of America, 1952.  Reporter for Mobile Register, 1954-1955, 1962-1965.  Wrote stories and articles for…

  • SAUNDERS, HARRIS, JR., 1925-

    Biography: Business executive. Born– Jan. 26, 1925, in Birmingham. Parents– Harris and Zoe Reed (Black) Saunders. Married– Jean Rowan, Aug. 9, 1949. Children– Five. Education– Georgia Institute of Technology, M.S. (M.E.), 1945.  U. S. Navy, WWII. Executive positions in Saunders Leasing Systems; helped expand it into the third-largest truck-leasing system in the country.  Member of…

  • ROWAN, RICHARD LAMAR, 1931-2008

    Biography: Economist; University professor. Born– July 10, 1931, Guntersville. Parents– Leon Virgle and Willie Mae (Williamson) Rowan. Married– Marilyn Walker, August 3, 1963. Children– Two. Education– Birmingham-Southern College, A.B., 1953; Alabama Polytechnic Institute, 1956-1957; University of North Carolina, Ph.D., 1961. Taught at Auburn University and the University of North Carolina; Wharton School of Business, University…

  • TALESE, GAY, 1932-

    Biography; Journalist; writer. Born Gaetano Talese, Ocean City, New Jersey, February 7, 1932. Parents– Joseph Francis and Catherine Talese. Married Nan Ahearn, June 10, 1959. Children–two. Education–University of Alabama, B.A., 1953.   Staff member New York Times, 1953-65  (began as copy boy and became reporter).  Free lance writer after 1965.  Wrote for Esquire and other journals.…

  • SWEET, FRANKLYN HALEY, 1916-2001

    Biography: Accountant, educator. Born– Aug. 19, 1916, in Madison, Wisc. Parents– Benjamin Franklin and Camilla (Haley) Sweet. Married– Melba Cameron, Dec. 22, 1936. Children– One. Education– University of Alabama, B.S., M.S.; University of Texas, Ph.D.; became CPA in 1944.  Served in U.S.Navy, WWII. Auditor for Sears, Roebuck in Atlanta, 1938-1942; accountant in Dothan, Ala., 1942-1946;…

  • CARVER, GEORGE WASHINGTON, 1864-1943

    Biography: Botanist; inventor; college professor. Born–1864, Diamond Grove, Mo. Parents– Giles and Mary Carver; raised by Moses and Susan Carver. In infancy, he lost his father; was stolen and carried into Arkansas with his mother. Bought from his captors for a race horse valued at $300 and returned to his former home in Missouri. Education–…

  • BUCK, WILLIAM PETTUS, 1928-

    Biography: Dentist. Born– January 27, 1928, Birmingham. Parents– Gray Carol and Gladys (Pettus) Buck. Married– Janie Brown, March 20, 1954. Children– Two. Education– Graduated from Birmingham Southern College and from the University of Alabama School of Dentistry. Served his residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery, 1953-1956; private practice in Birmingham; chief of oral surgery at…

  • METTEE, MAURICE F., 1943-

    Biography: Biologist. Born– Mobile, April 28, 1943. Education– B.S., Spring Hill College, 1965; M.A., University of Alabama, 1967; M.S., 1970; Ph.D., 1974. Employed as an instructor, University of Alabama, 1974; chief of the Environmental Division, Geological Survey of Alabama, 1977; aquatic biologist, U.S. Air Force Academy, 1974; consultant, Okaloosa Darter, Fla., 1975-1978. Awards; Grant, U.S.…

  • POSEY, WALTER BROWNLOW, 1900-1990

    Biography: Historian; college professor. Born– October 22, 1900, Smyrna, Tenn. Parents– Wilson Yandell and Myrtle (Omohundro) Posey. Married– Margaret Grisham, September 1, 1926. Children– One. Education– University of Chicago, Ph.B., 1923; M.A., 1930; Vanderbilt University, Ph.D., 1933. Taught at Cumberland University, 1923-1925; Birmingham-Southern College, 1925-1943; head of History Department at BSC, 1932-1943; head of History Department,…

  • POWELL, THURSTON, 1916-2000

    Biography: Textile executive, writer. Born– August 13, 1916, Goldville. Parents– George W. and Cora B. (McDaniel) Powell. Married– Minnie Lee Harris. Children– One. Education– Universal School in Dallas and National Institute in St. Louis. Employed by Russell Mills, Inc., Alexander City. Awarded a Gold Plaque for best poet in Alabama, 1966. Founded the Thurston Powell…

  • HURSTON, ZORA NEALE, 1891-1960

    Biography; Writer; ethnologist; folklorist.  Born January 7, 1891, Notasulga (moved to Eatonville, Florida, with her family as a child).  Parents–John and Lucy Potts Hurston.  Married– Herbert Sheen, 1927; Albert Price III, 1939.  Education:  graduated from Morgan Academy, Baltimore; Howard College, A.A., 1920; Barnard College, B.A., 1928; graduate study at Columbia University (studied  with the anthropologist…

  • FINN, SIDNEY BERNARD, 1908-1979

    Dentist, professor of dentistry.  Born– February 2, 1908, Freedom, Pa. Parents– Abel and Rebecca (Gordon) Finn. Married– Irma Harriett Rubens, May 7, 1938. Children– Two. Education– Ohio State University, B.A., 1930; Harvard University, D.M.D., 1934; University of Rochester, M.S., 1940. Practiced dentistry in Rochester, N.Y., 1935-1938; associate research dentist, New York Department of Health, 1944-1950; chairman of…

Got any book recommendations?

Get In Touch