Alex Haley was born in Ithaca, New York, on August 11, 1921, but was mostly raised in Tennessee, along with his parents and four siblings. His father worked as a professor at Alabama A&M University. He later attended college at Alcorn State University and Elizabeth City State College before dropping out to spend several years with the U.S. Coast Guard. After World War … [Read more...] about Literary South: Alex Haley
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Literary South: Winston Groom
Winston Francis Groom Jr. was born on March 23, 1943, in Washington DC. His father worked at the Pentagon and his mother worked as an English teacher. In school, he planned on becoming a lawyer like his father. He went on to the University of Alabama, where he ended up pursuing writing. After graduating from college, Groom enlisted in the Army and was sent to Vietnam during … [Read more...] about Literary South: Winston Groom
Literary South: O. Henry
O. Henry, also known as William Sydney Porter, was born on September 11, 1862, in Greensboro, North Carolina, during the Civil War. His mother died when he was young, and he moved with his father into his grandparents' house. He loved reading from a young age and, as a teenager, started working at his uncle's pharmacy, where he was later licensed. At age 20, Porter moved … [Read more...] about Literary South: O. Henry
Literary South: Pat Conroy
Few writers have captured the Lowcountry quite like Pat Conroy. He was born on October 26, 1945, in Atlanta, Georgia, to his father, a Marine, and his mother, a homemaker. The Conroys, including Pat and six other children, moved around based on military postings. After high school, Pat attended The Military College of South Carolina, also known as The Citadel, in Charleston. … [Read more...] about Literary South: Pat Conroy
6 Must-See Places for Literary Fans
The South has been home to some of America's greatest writers, penning books that are widely considered to be "classics." They take their surroundings and incorporate them into the tales. These places also might influence visitors to write their own stories. Eatonton, Georgia The town in Georgia's Lake Country was the birthplace of not just one, but two notable … [Read more...] about 6 Must-See Places for Literary Fans
