Alabama Authors

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  • THOMPSON, LUCILLE KEY, 1892-1963

    Biography: Educator, writer. Born– May 11, 1892, Troy, Ala. Parents– John George and Sarah E. (Carroll) Key. Married– Ara W. Thompson, Nov. 14, 1920. Children– Three. Education– attended Troy State College. Taught art at Troy State College, 1912-1914. Member National League of Pen Women, Alabama Writers Conclave, and Pike County Historical Society. Reveived Alabama Writers…

  • PERCY, WALKER, 1916-1990

    Biography: Physician, writer. Born– May 28, 1916, Birmingham. Parents– Leroy Pratt and Martha Susan (Phinizy) Percy. Married– Mary Bernice Townsend, November 7, 1946. Children– Two. Education– University of North Carolina, B.A., 1937; Columbia University, M.D., 1941. Interned at Bellevue Hospital, 1942. After 1942, devoted full time to writing. Member of the American Academy of Arts…

  • TOWNS, PEGGY ALLEN

    Biography; Local historian; genealogist; employee of U. S. House of Representatives. Born–Decatur, Alabama. Parents– George and Myrtle Allen. Married– Edward Towns. Children–one. Education–John C. Calhoun Community College; Alabama A and M; degree in religious studies. Employed by the U.S.House of Representatives for 20 years. Conducts genealogical research and presents workshops on genealogy. Active in historical…

  • CHANDLER, JEROME GREER, 1948-

    Biography: Aviation journalist; professor of communications. Born– July 16, 1948, Dallas Tex. Parents– Lewis and Gwynne Greer Chandler. Married– Kathleen, August 10, 1970. Children– Five. Education– University of Texas, B.A., 1975; Jacksonville State University, M.P.A., 1977. Served as a medic in Vietnam; awarded the Purple Heart. News director at WHMA Radio in Anniston, 1979-1985; correspondent for the…

  • LEE, LAWRENCE HAYWOOD, 1867-1938

    Biography: Attorney, legislator. Born– August 2, 1867, Clayton. Parents– Alto V. and Lillie (Lawrence) Lee. Married– Augusta Alston, October 29, 1889. Children– Four. Education– University of Alabama, A.B., 1887, LL.B., 1888. Solicitor, Barbour County, 1889-1890; alderman, Clayton, 1896-1897; representative, state legislature, 1898-1899. Moved to Gadsden, 1901; served as city attorney, Gadsden, 1902-1903; reporter of the Supreme…

  • CROW, MATTIE LOU TEAGUE, 1903-1999

    Biography: Teacher, librarian, local historian. Born– July 8,1903, Ashville. Parents John Rowan Teague and Talullah Missouri Nunnelly Teague. Married– Abner Hodges Crow, October 31, 1924. Crow. Children– Two. Education– Alabama College; Jacksonville State University, A.B., 1949; University of Alabama, A.M., 1951. Taught at Ashville High School. Librarian for St. Clair County Schools, Jacksonville State University, Birmingham…

  • BROOKINS, DEWEY C., 1904-1982

    Biography: Salesman, newspaper columnist. Born– June 4, 1904, Dothan. Parents– Frank and Eolin Brookins. Married– Marguerite Frederickson. Children– five. Education– Attended the U.S. Naval Academy and worked as a naval inspector. Automobile salesman in Montgomery; newspaper columnist. Died August 27, 1982. Source: Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature; Encyclopedia of Science Fiction. Publication(s): Flying High. New…

  • DICKSON, THOMAS INCHES, JR., 1923-1999

    Biography: Foreign service officer; professor of political science. Born– October 17, 1923, New York, N.Y. Parents–Thomas I Dickson Sr. and Isabel Anna Keo Dickson. Married–Mona Faye Carroll, September 28,  1948. Children–two. Education– University of Texas, B.A., 1943; M.A., 1948; Ph.D., 1951. Worked as research associate in tax administration for the Texas Legislative Council, 1951-1952; as a…

  • RILEY, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, 1849-1925

    Biography: Baptist minister, college president, university professor. Born– July 16, 1849, Pineville. Parents– Enoch and Sophronia (Autry) Riley. Married– Emma Shaw, June 21, 1876. Children– Eight. Education– Erskine College, A.B., 1871; Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Crozier Theological Seminary. Ordained to the Baptist Church, 1872 and served churches in Carlowville, Snow Hill, Livingston, Opelika, Ala.,…

  • LUCAS, SILAS EMMETT, 1931-1994

    Biography: Episcopal clergyman; local historian. Born– November 5, 1931, Birmingham. Parents– Silas Emmett and Levice Edith (Osborn) Lucas. Married– Nina Hasel Hanahan, August 1, 1958. Children– Four. Education– B.A., University of the South, 1956; B.D., 1962. Ordained priest, Episcopal Church, 1964, served churches at Carlowville, Lowndesboro, Montgomery, Ala., Swainsboro, Ga., Easley, S.C.; missionary, Guyana, South…

  • PEAK, HUGH STANFORD, 1924-1989

    Biography: College teacher. Born– May 16, 1924, Birmingham. Parents– Hugh Stanford and Minnie Louise (Hardy) Peak. Married– Joyce Carter, May 14, 1949. Children– One. Education– Alabama Polytechnic Institute, B.S., 1948; University of Alabama, M.B.A., 1969; Ph.D., 1984. Taught at Jefferson State Junior College, serving as chairman of the Marketing and Distribution Department, 1970-89. Died May…

  • DuBOSE, JOEL CAMPBELL, 1855-1917

    Biography: Historian of Alabama; School principal; state legislator. Born– December 17, 1855, Gaston, Sumter County. Parents– Benjamin Eusebius and Sarah Elizabeth (Horn) DuBose. Married– Alice Vivian Horn, August 8, 1883. Education– Graduated from Professor S.S.Mellon’s Mt. Sterling Academy; University of Alabama, B.A., 1872; M.A., 1878. Served as principal of Pushmataha High School, 1878-1883; Snow Hill Academy,…

  • OWEN, THOMAS McADORY, 1866-1920

    Biography: Lawyer, archivist. Born– December 15, 1866, Jonesboro. Parents– William Marmaduke and Nancy Lucretin (McAdory) Owen. Married– Marie Susan Bankhead, April 12, 1893. Children– Two. Education– University of Alabama, A.B., LL.B., 1887; A.M., 1893; LL.D., 1904; Practiced law in Bessemer, 1887-1894; city solicitor for Bessemer, 1890-1893; assistant solicitor for Jefferson County, 1892; chief clerk, Division…

  • McMILLAN, MALCOLM COOK, 1910-1989

    Biography: Historian; University professor. Born– Stockton, Ala., August 22, 1910. Parents– Malcolm and Carolyn Kolb (Cook) McMillan. Married– Dorothy Dismuckes, April 6, 1939. Children– Two. Education– Southwestern College, 1928-1931; A.B., University of Alabama, 1935; M.A., 1939; Ph.D., 1949, North Carolina. Professor of History, Auburn University, 1948-1978; Research Professor, 1954-1963; head, history and political science departments,…

  • BREWER, THADDEUS CONSTANTINE WILLIS, 1844-1912

    Biography: Editor, lawyer, legislator. Born– March 15, 1844, Brewerville, Sumter County. Parents– Robert Willis and Jane (Hadden) Brewer. Married– Mary Baine. Children– Four. Began working in a printing office at age fourteen and three years later was editing a newspaper in Milton, Fla. Attempted three times to enlist in the Army during the War Between…

  • SMITH, NELSON FOOTE, 1815-1865

    Biography; Attorney.  Born–1815, New York state.  Married–Annie May Burdine, 1849.  Children–one.  Practiced law in Carrollton. Died 1865.   Publications; History of Pickens County, Alabama, from its First Settlement in 1817, to 1856.  Carrollton, Alabama; Printed at the Pickens Republican Office. , 1856; reprinted Spartanburg, SC, Reprint Company Publishers, 1980.

  • CANNON, WILLIAM SCHLEVOIGHT, 1918-2012

    Biography: Clergyman, editor. Born– Dececember 16, 1918, Meridian, Miss. Parents– Willis Street and Angela (Schlevoight) Cannon. Married– Nelwyn Nesmith, November 10, 1943. Children– Three. Education– University of Alabama, B.A., 1942; Baptist Theological Seminary, B.D., 1956. Reporter for the Meridian (Miss.) Star, 1936-1938; retail advertising manager for Sears, Roebuck and Company in Mississippi and North Carolina,…

  • JOHNSON, JOHN BOWMAN, 1921-

    Biography: Clergyman. Born– July 2, 1921, Georgiana, Ala. Education– Howard College; Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Pastor of many Baptist churches in Alabama, including those in Aliceville, Warrior, Ozark, Abbeville, Jacksonville, and Pine Apple. Head of Howard College’s Extension Division for North Alabama. Source: Files at the Alabama Public Library Service. Publication(s): A Saint, A Sinner,…

  • BENSKO, JOHN, 1949-

    Biography: Writer; teacher of writing. Born– November 28, 1949, Birmingham. Parents– John Jr. and Patricia Blanton Bensko.  Married– Rosemary Collins, May, 1980.  Children–one.  Married– Cary Holladay.  Education– University of Alabama, B.A., 1973, M.F.A., 1979;  FSU, Ph.D., 1985. Taught on a temporary part-time basis at the University of Alabama, 1974-80; taught at Old Dominion University  1980-1994;…

  • WRIGHT, MILDRED SULSER, 1922-2014

    BiographyZ Preservationist; genealogist. Born– January 29, 1922, in Birmingham, Ala. Parents– Willie Raymond and Addie Lee (Wilson) Sulser. Married– Zelma Hudson Wright, Jr., July 13, 1944. Children– One. Education– Woodlawn High School, Birmingham 1939. Worked for Lee McGriff, Inc.; Davis & Major, Inc., Birmingham, 1940-1946; Stansbury Pharmacy; Fedders Pharmacy, Dundalk, Md., 1955-1967; certified genealogical records…

  • STOVER, VIRGINIA HENDRIX, 1916-1981

    Biography: Artist, writer. Born July 26, 1916.  Parents– L. S. Hendrix and Nellie B. Hendrix.  Married– the Rev. Clarence L. Stover. Children– Five. Lived in several Alabama towns, including Cullman and Holly Pond; served with her husband as a Special Assigned Missionary under the Southern Baptist Home Mission Board.  For 22 years wrote two columns, “Woman…

  • SHERER, ROBERT GLENN, JR., 1940-

    Biography: Historian; college professor. Born– Mar. 13, 1940, in Jasper, Ala. Parents– Robert Glenn and Ester Lee (Brakefield) Sherer. Married– Amelia Ann Brookshire, June 2, 1968. Children– Two. Education– attended Alabama Polytechnic Institute and Yale University; University of North Carolina, A.B., 1962; Ph.D., 1970; Brown University, M.A., 1967.  Taught at Stetson University (Florida), 1969-71; Alcorn…

  • SANDLIN, WINFRED GENE, 1927-2013

    Biography: Businessman, educator. Born– Sept. 24, 1927, at Empire, Ala. Parents– John Monroe and Ila (Fewell) Sandlin. Married– Marie Bland, October 14, 1960. Children– Three. Education– Samford University, B.A.; University of Alabama, M.A., 1961; studied at University of Colorado, Tulane University, Duke University, and University of Alabama in Birmingham. Served in U.S. Army Cavalry, 1945-47. Employed at…

  • MILTON, HILARY H., 1920-2002

    Biography: Writer; editor. Born– Jasper, Ala., April 2, 1920. Parents– Hilary Herbert and Erline (Moore) Milton. Married–Marietta Barber (died 1950). Married– Patty Sanders, September 26, 1952. Children– Two. Education– Alabama Polytechnic Institute, 1938; Birmingham Southern College, 1939-1940; University of Alabama, A.B., 1948; M.A.,  1949.  U.S. Air Force, 1942-1945.  Taught, University of Alabama, 1948-1951; civilian specialist, Montgomery,…

  • BECKWITH, CHARLES MINNIEGRODE, 1851-1928

    Biography: Episcopal priest. Born– June 3, 1851, Prince George County, Va. Parents– Thomas Stanley and Agnes (Ruffin) Beckwith. Married– Rainsford Fairbanks, 1884 (died 1885);  Lucy Cocke, 1888 (died 1892). Children– One. Married– Mary Belle Cameron, May 11, 1897. Education– University of Georgia, 1873. Berkeley Divinity School, Middleton, CT, graduated 1881. Master of the grammar schools…

  • BATES, JAMES LEONARD, 1919-1998

    Biography: Historian; University professor. Born– May 6, 1919, Birmingham. Parents–Howard Edward and Mattie Gammel Bates.  Married– Dorothy Pettit, 1942; children–two. Education– Wake Forest, B.A., 1941; University of North Carolina, M.A., 1946, Ph.D., 1952. Military service–U.S.Navy, WWII. Taught history at the University of North Carolina, 1946-1947;, University of Maryland, 1947-1954; University of Illinois 1954-1984. Visiting professor at…

  • BELLANTE, DONALD MICHAEL, 1943-

    Biography: Economist; University professor. Born– December 27, 1943, Meridian, Conn. Married– Ali Monahan. Children– Two. Education– Bryant College, B.S., 1964; Washington University, M.B.A., 1966; Florida State University, Ph.D. in Economics, 1971. Taught, Auburn University, 1970-1985; University of South Florida, 1985- .  Author of articles in professional journals and anthologies; member of several editorial boards.  Member…

  • COLLIER, EDWARD TARLETON, 1888-1970

    Biography: Journalist;  information officer. Born–Montgomery, December 22, 1888.  Parents–William A. And Annie Hartean Collier.  Married–Frances Loretta Martin, December 10, 1913.  Children–one. Education– Auburn University, B.A., 1907, M.A., 1911. On staff of the Selma Times Journal, Montgomery Advertiser, Atlanta Georgian, New York American, Chicago Herald Examiner, Chicago American, and Louisville Courier Journal.  Wrote for the Atlanta…

  • CHAPMAN, KATHARINE HOPKINS, 1873-1930

    Biography: Writer. Born– March 4, 1873, Selma. Parents– Thomas Holmes and Mary Elizabeth (Glass) Hopkins. Married– Dr. John Thomas Chapman, October 8, 1891. Children–two. Education– Shorter College, Rome, Ga., 1887; and Lake Chautauqua, 1904.  Member Daughters of the American Revolution and National League of American Pen Women (served as its historian). Died May 21, 1930.…

  • WINDHAM, AMASA BENJAMIN, 1905-1956

    Biography: Journalist. Born– June 7, 1905, in Gordo, Ala. Parents John J. and Nannie Estelle (Ezell) Windham. Married– Kathryn Tucker, February 10, 1946. Children– Three. Education– Howard College, A.B., 1934; Columbia University. Artist, feature writer and copy editor, Birmingham Age-Herald, 1928-1941. Served in U.S. Navy, 1941-1946. Southern editor, Electrical Merchandising, McGraw-Hill, 1946-1956. Active in Birmingham…

  • WINDHAM, KATHRYN TUCKER, 1918-2011

    Biography: Journalist; writer; storyteller.  Born– June 2, 1918, in Selma, Ala. Parents– James Wilson and Helen (Tabb) Tucker. Married– Amasa Benjamin Windham, February 19, 1946. Children– Three. Education– Huntingdon College, B.A., 1939.  Police reporter, Alabama Journal, 1940-1942; worked at Treasury Dept., Birmingham 1942-1944; Birmingham News, 1944-1946; Selma Times-Journal, 1960-1973; community service planner, Area Agency on…

  • COMER, JAMES McDONALD, 1877-1963

    Biography: Textile executive. Born– October 14, 1877, Comer. Parents– former governor of Alabama Braxton Bragg Comer and Eva Jane (Harris) Comer. Married– Gertrude Miller, 1904. Children– Four. Education– Graduated from Bingham Military Academy, Asheville, N.C. in 1897. Became associated with Avondale Mills in 1907 and became chairman of the executive board of that company in…

  • BRAGG, RICK, 1959-

    Biography; Writer; journalist; university professor. Born– July , 1959, Piedmont. Parents– Charles and Margaret Marie Bundrum Bragg. Married– Lisa Creel; Married– Diane Wells, 2005. Education– Jacksonville State University; Harvard University (Neiman Fellow), 1992. Reporter for the Anniston Star, 1980-86; Birmingham News, 1986-89; St. Petersburg Times, 1989-94; New York Times, 1994-2003. Professor of journalism, University of Alabama…

  • FRAZER, JOHN WILLIAM, 1885-1969

    United Methodist Clergyman; denominational leader. Born– February 11, 1885, Evergreen. Parents– John Stanley and Mary Ella (Chapman) Frazer. Married– Sarah Knickerbocker, June 14, 1911. (died 1915)–one child. Married– Lucy Bomar, 1922–Two children.  Education– Southern University, Greensboro, A.B., 1905; Vanderbilt University, B. D., 1909; post-graduate study at the University of Chicago. Ordained to the ministry in…

  • BEAN, WILLIAM GLEASON, 1891-1974

    Biography: Historian; University professor. Born– December 26, 1891, Heflin. Parents– Jesse Coleman and Louise (Moore) Bean. Married– Lucy B. Marstellar, May 27, 1927. Children– Two. Education– University of Alabama, A.B., 1913; Harvard University, M.A., 1914, Ph.D., 1922. Taught in Blount County, Ala., 1913-15; Harvard University teaching fellow, 1920-22; Washington and Lee University, 1922-retirement.  Appointed Douglas Southall…

  • BALL, RICHARD WILLIAM, 1923-1997

    Biography: Mathematician; university professor. Born– August 16, 1923, Streator, Ill. Education– University of Illinois, B.A., 1944, M.A., 1945, Ph.D. in mathematics, 1948. Taught mathematics at the University of Washington, 1948-1954; Auburn University  1954-1988. Member of the American Mathematical Society and the Mathematical Association of America. Died January 30, 1997. Source: American Men and Women of Science–Physical…

  • BAKLANOFF, ERIC NICHOLAS, 1925-2014

    Biography: Economist; University professor. Born– December 9, 1925, Graz, Austria. Parents– Nicholas W. and Lucile (King) Baklanoff. Married– H. Christina Janes, May 1, 1956. Married– Joy Driskell. Children–three.  Education– Antioch College, 1943-1944; Ohio State University, B.A., 1949, M.A., 1950; Ph.D., 1958. Served in the U.S. Navy, 1944-1946; worked for Chase National Bank in Puerto Rico,…

  • CUMMING, JOHN PALMER, 1893-1932

    Biography: Soldier. Born– Birmingham, August 21, 1893. Parents– John Bryant Cumming and Rosa Palmer Cumming. Married– Rhea LaPierre. Children–two. Second lieutenant in the Rainbow Division during World War I; worked in the clerical department at Wilson Dam.  Died May 15, 1932. Source: Files at Alabama Department of Archives and History; obituary. Publication(s): Me,–an’ War Goin’…

  • LINCOLN, RIXFORD JOSEPH, 1872-1962

    Biography: Attorney, journalist, teacher; writer. Born– August 22, 1872, New Orleans, La. Parents– Lemuel Louis and Adrienne (Helluin) Lincoln. Education– Jesuit College (New Orleans), B.A., 1889, M.A., 1890; Tulane University, law degree, 1899. Assistant editor, the Times and other New Orleans newspapers; practiced law in New Orleans 15 years; taught French, English, history and political…

  • COX, OLIVER CROMWELL, 1901-1974

    Biography: Sociologist; university professor. Born– August 25, 1901, Trinidad, British West Indies. Parents– William Raphael and Virginia (Austin) Cox. Moved to the U.S., 1919; became an American citizen,  July 14, 1926. Education– Northwestern University, B.S.L., 1928, University of Chicago, M.A., 1932; Ph.D. 1938. Professor; Wiley College, Marshall, Tex., 1938-1944; Tuskegee Institute, 1944-1949; Lincoln University, Jefferson…

  • LINCOLN, CHARLES ERIC, 1924-2000

    Biography: Sociologist; university professor; Clergyman. Born– June 23, 1924, Athens. Parents– Less and Mattie (Sowell) Lincoln. Married– first wife unknown. Children– two. Married– Lucy Cook, July 1, 1961. Children– two. U.S. Navy, WWII. Education– Lemoyne College, A.B., 1947; Fisk University, A.M., 1954; University of Chicago, B.D., 1956; Boston University, M.Ed., Ph.D., 1960; University of Chicago…

  • BLACK, HUGO LAFAYETTE, JR., 1922-2013

    Biography: Attorney.  Born– April 29, 1922, Birmingham. Parents– Hugo Lafayette and Josephine Patterson (Foster) Black. Married– Graham Hobson, June 12, 1947. Children– Three. Education– University of Alabama, A.B., 1946; Yale University, LL.B., 1949. Admitted to practice before the bar in Alabama and Florida and before the U. S. Supreme Court. Partner in the firm of Kelly,…

  • BROWN, WALLACE LAMAR, 1926-

    Biography: Military officer; design engineer. Born– September 21, 1926, Banks. Parents–William Lewis and Nancy Bama Henderson Brown. Married– Bobby Jean Green. Children– Two. Education– Troy High School, 1944. University of Oklahoma, Masters degree in engineering, 1964.  Served in U.S. Army, 1944-46; linesman for United Telephone and Telegraph, Brundidge, 1947-50; Commissioned in U.S. Air Force, June,…

  • BOYKIN, MILTON LEE, 1935-

    Biography: College professor of political science. Born– September 14, 1935, Selma. Parents– Edward McKinley and Annie T. (Threadgill) Boykin. Married– Catherine George, August 23, 1967. Children– One. Education– Birmingham Southern College, A.B., 1958; American University in Washington, D.C., M.A., 1966; University of Alabama, Ph.D., 1971. Teaching assistant and instructor at the University of Alabama, 1967-1970;…

  • ATKINSON, CLETTUS, 1919-1998

    Biography: Journalist. Born– September 22, 1919, Brighton, Ala. Parents– George Mason and Roxie Cordelia (Gurley) Atkinson. Married– Barbara Elaine Conway, May 28, 1943. Children– Three. Education– University of Alabama, B.A., 1948.  Served in U. S. Marine Corps, WWII, 1940-44.  Worked for the Birmingham Age Herald, 1948-1950; and the Birmingham Post Herald after 1950, when it…

  • BRASHER, NELL HUGHEY, 1912-1992

    Biography: Writer; homemaker; nurse. Born– December 1, 1912, Perry County. Parents– Monte Zuma and Dovie (Stone) Hughey. Married– Leonard Brasher, April 19, 1938. Children– Four. Education– Attended high school in Perry County and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Trained as a licensed practical nurse. Wrote a column in the Birmingham Post-Herald called “Page From a Diary,” 1966-1974;…

  • DODD, DONALD BRADFORD, 1940-

    Biography: Historian; college professor; museum curator. Born– February 6, 1940, Manchester. Parents– Ben G. and Alta (Weaver) Dodd. Married– Sandra Whitten, June 18, 1961. Children– Two. Married–Amy Bartlett, 1985. Children–one.  Education– University of North Alabama, B.S., 1961; Auburn University, M. A., 1966; University of Georgia, Ph.D., 1969. Taught at Troy State University, 1968-1969; Auburn University…

  • TUBBS, BILLY G., 1931-

    Biography: Engineer, businessman. Born– Mar. 29, 1931 in Walker Co. Ala. Parents– Jim and Minnie Lee (Alexander) Tubbs. Married– Sue Clark. Children– Five. Worked in engineering 5 years in Florida and 3 years in California; president of Smith Lake Automation Co. in Jasper, Ala.. Source: Book on Daniel Tubbs and descendants. Publications; Daniel Tubbs, 1794-1881,…

  • TREST, WARREN, 1931-

    Biography; Historian; author.  Born– February 13, 1931, Louisville, Mississippi.  Parents–  Warren A. and Lillian Ersell Trest. Education– East Central Mississippi Junior College; Southern Mississippi University.  Married.  Reporter, 3rd Infantry Division, Korean War; U.S. Air Force, Vietnam.  Senior Historian for U. S. Air Force Historical Research Agency, Montgomery.  Purple Heart and Bronze Star Meritorious for military service; Award…

  • ATKINS, THOMAS RADCLIFFE, 1939-

    Biography: University professor of theatre; playwright. Born– April 5, 1939, Mobile. Parents– Jack R. and Sadie B. (Daves) Atkins. Married– Mary Ellen O’Brien, April 14, 1964. Children– Two. Education– Duke University, B.A., 1961; Yale University, M.F.A., 1964. Taught at Vassar College, 1964-1965; Hollins College, 1965-1982; University of New Orleans, 1982-. Contributed articles and plays to…

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