(Dorothy Snowden Williams) Born 1967, in Mount Kisco, NY; Education: Wesleyan University (Middletown, CT), B.A. Agent—Ron Fierstein, RF Entertainment Inc., 29 Haines Rd., Bedford Hills, NY 10507. Musician, songwriter, and novelist; recording artist and performer. (With Elizabeth Zipern) The Tofu Tollbooth (guide book), Ceres (Woodstock, NY), 1998. Amalee (juvenile novel), Scholastic (New Yo…
1908–1999 Entertainer, entrepreneur, promoter, political consultant Known as Detroit's most congenial host, William Nathaniel "Sunnie" Wilson distinguished himself among the city's entertainment, political, and business communities for over six decades. When Wilson purchased the Forest Club on Detroit's legendary Hastings Street in 1941, he became the owne…
Born 1945, in Bath, England; Hobbies and other interests: Browsing in bookshops, visiting art galleries, going to movies, swimming, line dancing. Agent—David Higham Associates, 5-8 Lower John Street, Golden Square, London W1R 4HA, England. Journalist, freelance magazine writer, and author of books and radio plays. Employed by D. C. Thomsons, Dundee, Scotland, 1963-65. Young Telegraph/Fully …
1933?— Baseball player, broadcaster, league executive White, Bill, photograph. AP/Wide World Photos. Reproduced by permission. When Bill White was named president of baseball's National League in 1989, he became the highest-ranking black executive in all of professional sports. With a salary of $250,000 per year in a demanding administrative position that requires resolution, …
1931— Politician, lawyer Wilder, L. Douglas, photograph. © Tim Wright/Corbis. On January 14, 1990, L. Douglas Wilder was sworn in as governor of Virginia, joining a line that includes Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, and Harry F. Byrd. Wilder became Virginia's 66th governor and the nation's first elected black governor. In 2004, Wilder became the first mayor of t…
(Kay Winters) Born 1936, in Trenton, NJ; Education: Beaver College (now Arcadia University), B.S.; attended Boston University; Wheelock College, M.S.; attended Lehigh University. Politics: Democrat. Religion: Protestant. Hobbies and other interests: Reading, biking, walking, gardening, traveling. Children's book author, reviewer, and consultant. Massachusetts Public Schools, Newton, MA, ele…
Born 1948, in South Africa; immigrated to Australia, 1972; Education: Attended Australian National University. Hobbies and other interests: Music, opera, frequenting cafés. Agent—c/o Author Mail, ABC Books, Allen & Unwin, P.O. Box 8500, St. Leonards, New South Wales 1590, Australia. Journalist, book editor, and children's author. Editor and publisher, ABC Books, Sydney, N…
Born 1939, in Chicago, IL; Education: Attended the Art Institute of Chicago; University of Iowa, B.F.A. Author and illustrator. (Reteller) Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, The Christmas Visitors, Pantheon Books (New York, NY), 1968. (Reteller) The Girl and the Moon Man: A Siberian Tale, Pantheon (New York, NY), 1984. Come Out to Play, Knopf (New York, NY), 1986. (Reteller) The Magic Ring (based on …
(Ruth White Miller) Born 1942, in Whitewood, VA; divorced; Education: Montreat-Anderson College, A.A., 1962; Pfeiffer College, A.B., 1966; Queens College (Charlotte, NC), library media specialist certification, 1976. Politics: "Independent." Hobbies and other interests: Yoga, exercising, walking with her golden retriever. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 19 …
Born 1944, in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Education: Attended Sydney Teachers College; National Art School, diploma in design; Alexander Mackie C.A.E., graduate diploma. Hobbies and other interests: Classical music. Office—P.O. Box 7, Stuart Town, 2820, New South Wales, Australia. Self-employed artist, illustrator, and writer since c. 1967. Kings School, Cambridgeshire, England, Art…
(Thura al-Windawi) Born 1983. Education: Attended University of Baghdad and University of Pennsylvania. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Viking/Penguin Group, 375 Hudson St., New York, NY 10014. Thura's Diary: My Life in Wartime Iraq (young adult), translation by Robin Bray, Viking (New York, NY), 2004. Thura al-Windawi, the daughter of a British-educated father and a middle-class Iraqi mother…
1961— Actor, director, producer Whitaker, Forest, photograph. © Rufus R. Folkks/Corbis. "A burly, good-natured Texan, soft-spoken and a little shy, Forest Whitaker doesn't exactly stand out in a crowd," wrote Associated Press correspondent Jay Sharbutt. "But in Hollywood, where unemployment is the rule, not the exception, he does OK." Whitaker,…
1918— Jazz bandleader, composer, trumpeter Jazz is often thought to be a young person's art, with soloists and bandleaders becoming best known for innovations they have developed early in their careers. In the hands of bandleader, composer, and trumpeter Gerald Wilson, however, jazz has inspired a process of lifelong musical growth over a seven-decade career. As a jazz musician, Wils…
Born 1960, in Casablanca, Morocco; Education: École Normale de Beauvais, degree (French); attended Arts Students' League (New York, NY), and École des Beaux Arts (Paris, France). Hobbies and other interests: Reading, listening to music, biking, going to plays, concerts, movies, art shows, and galleries. Agent—Linda Pratt, Sheldon Fogelman Agency, 10 E. 40th St., New Yor…
Born 1970, in Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada; Education: Attended Malaspina College (now University-College), 1988–90; attended University of Victoria, 1990–94; Camosun College, Diploma (applied communication), 2000. Writer. Summer camp counselor in British Columbia, Canada, 1990–98, 2000–01; British Columbia Ferries, customer sales and service representatives, …
Born 1952; Education: Elmira College, B.A.; attended School of Visual Arts, and New School for Social Research. Offıce—375 South End Ave., #12T, New York, NY 10280. Writer and illustrator. Dial Press, New York, NY, worked as a design assistant and secretary for two years; owner of freelance illustration business, 1980—. Lawrence Weinberg, What Is This For?, Little Simon (New Y…
American Legion, Harvard Club (New York, NY). Bill W., a Different Kind of Hero: The Story of Alcoholics Anonymous, Boyds Mills Press (Honesdale, PA), 2003. Contributor of numerous articles to magazines, newspapers, and online journals, including LewRockwell.com. Author of Lost in the Texas Desert, self-published, 2004. Dr. Bob S., Cofounder of Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of AA's Beginn…
Born 1953, in Cleveland, OH; Ethnicity: "White." Education: Temple University, B.F.A., 1976. Religion: Christian. Offıce—Coleman Fine Art, 45 Hasell St., Charleston, SC 29401; fax: 843-722-2552. Writer; professional artist, 1976—. Exhibitions: Artwork represented in collections at Bell Atlantic, Easter Seals Society, University of Pennsylvania, and West Chester …
Male; Education: New York University, B.F.A. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Hyperion Books for Children, 114 Fifth Ave., 14th Fl., New York, NY 10011. Animator and illustrator. Researcher for Children's Television Workshop; script writer and animator, Sesame Street, PBS, 1994-2002; creator and director of animated series The Off-Beats, Nickelodeon, 1995-98; creator and director of animated s…
Born 1953, in Hartford, CT; Education: Graduated from Paier College of Art (Hamden, CT), 1973. Offıce—Winsted, CT. Agent—c/o Scholastic Press, 557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012. Photographer and writer of children's books, 1992—. Worked as a lab technician and photographer's assistant, Hartford, CT; photographer for magazines including Discover, Psychology …
1940— Blues vocalist, guitarist, actor White, Josh Jr., photograph. John Fraser/Toronto Winterfolk III. Reproduced by permission. The son of one of the most famous performers the blues tradition ever produced, Josh White Jr. has patterned his music after his father's and has devoted part of his musical life to carrying on his father's legacy. Yet he has never been simpl…
Nationality: American. Born: Cincinnati, Ohio, 1940. Education: The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (Hopwood award, 1961, 1962), B.A. 1962. Career: Staff writer, Time, 1962-79, and editor, Saturday Review, 1972-73, both New York; assistant professor, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, 1977-79; adjunct professor, Columbia University, New York, 1981-83, and instructor in creative writing, Yale U…
Nationality: American. Born: Washington, D.C., 1941. Education: Schools in Pittsburgh; University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (Franklin scholar), B.A. 1963 (Phi Beta Kappa); New College, Oxford (Rhodes scholar, 1963; Thouron fellow, 1963-66), B. Phil. 1966; University of Iowa, Iowa City (Kent fellow), 1966-67. Career: Member of the Department of English, Howard University, Washington, D.C., 196…
Nationality: Canadian. Born: Fairholme, Saskatchewan, 1934. Education: Alberta Mennonite High School; University of Alberta, Edmonton, 1953-56, 1958-60 (International Nickel graduate fellow, 1958-59; Queen Elizabeth graduate fellow, 1959-60), B.A. 1956, M.A. 1960; University of Tübingen, Germany (Rotary fellow), 1957-58; University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, 1961; University of Iowa, Iowa City, 1…
Nationality: American. Born: San Antonio, Texas, 1946. Education: Baylor University, B.A. 1968; Louisiana State University, M.A. 1970; Bowling Green State University, M.F.A. 1974. Career: Yard clerk, Kansas City Southern Railroad, 1966-67; laborer, All-Tex Ranch Supply, Waco, Texas, 1967-68; instructor in English, Longwood College, Farmville, Virginia, 1970-72; assistant professor of English, Carn…
Nationality: American. Born: Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1947. Agent: Wylie, Aitken & Stone, Suite 2106, 250 West 57th Street, New York, New York 10107, U.S.A. Few would describe Marianne Wiggins's writing as the gentle, delicate sort. Her fierce, satiric wit and bold characters are legendary practice throughout her four novels and two works of short fiction. Wiggins seems to relish the…
Nationality: British. Born: Worcester, 1942. Education: Royal Grammar School, Worcester, 1950-59; Lincoln College, Oxford (editor, Isis, 1962), B.A. 1963, M.A. 1968. Career: Primary school teacher, Spetchley, Worcestershire, 1960; lecturer in English, University of Sydney, 1963-66; assistant lecturer, 1967-68, and lecturer in English, 1968, University of Birmingham. Senior lecturer, 1969-72, reade…
Nationality: New Zealander. Born: 1963. Awards: Heinemann Reed fiction award, 1989; New Zealand book award for fiction, 1993. Damien Wilkins is part of a new generation of New Zealand writers who came of age in the midst of a surge of literary production in their home country, just as New Zealand literature was beginning to gain significant recognition internationally. With the 1990 publication of…
Nationality: American. Born: Jackson, Mississippi, 1925. Education: Central High School, Syracuse, New York; Syracuse University, A.B. 1950. Military Service: Served in the United States Navy, 1943-46. Career: Member of the public relations department, Doug Johnson Associates, Syracuse, 1952-54, and Arthur P. Jacobs Company; staff member, CBS, Hollywood and New York, 1954-55; publicity director, C…
Born 1963; children: two daughters, one son. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Writer. Mitten Award, Michigan Library Association, 2003, for Old Cricket; Froggy Award for Best Children's Book, 2003, for Turk and Runt; Please Touch Museum Book Award, 2004, for One Dark Night. Wool Gathering: A Sheep Family Reunion, illustrated by Frank Ansley, Atheneum (New York, NY), 2001. Turk and Runt, illus…
Education: Northwestern University, B.S.; Tulane University Law School, J.D. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Clarion Books, 215 Park Ave., New York, NY 10003. Attorney and author. Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Kiriyama Prize notable designation, Voice of Youth Advocates Top-Shelf Fiction for Middle-School Readers selection, both 2005, and NewHampshire Great Stone Face …
Nationality: American. Born: Constance Elaine, Denver, Colorado, 1945. Education: University of Northern Colorado, B.A. in English and elementary education. Career: Elementary school teacher, 1967-68, and junior high teacher, 1968-69, Branford, Connecticut, public schools. Awards: Nebula award, 1982, and Hugo award, 1982, both for Fire Watch; 1982 for "A Letter from the Clearys"; Neb…
Born in Newton, MA; Education: Tufts University, graduated; Emerson College, M.F.A. Hobbies and other interests: Reading, horseback riding, watching the Red Sox and Celtics. Agent—Shanta Small, Publicist, Random House Children's Books, 1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019. Writer. Judy Blume grant, Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, 2001; New England Children&#…
Nationality: British. Born: Stone, Staffordshire, 1950. Education: Rugby School, Warwickshire, 1964-69; New College, Oxford (Chancellor's Essay prize, 1971; Ellerton Theological prize, 1975), 1969-72, M.A.; studied for priesthood, 1973-74. Career: Assistant master, Merchant Taylors' School, London, 1975-76; lecturer, St. Hugh's College, Oxford, 1976-82, and New College, 1977-8…
Nationality: British. Born: Lancashire in 1959. Education: St. Catherine's College, Oxford. Awards: Whitbread award, 1985; John Llewellyn Rhys Memorial prize, 1987. Jeanette Winterson is often described as one of the most controversial yet innovative fiction writers in contemporary English literature. Her promising beginnings as a young talent have been rounded off in the past decade and a…
Nationality: Australian. Born: Karrinyup, Western Australia, 1960. Education: Western Australian Institute of Technology. Awards: Australian /Vogel award, 1981, for An Open Swimmer; Miles Franklin award, 1984, for Shallows; Deo Gloria award, 1991, WA Premiers award, 1991, National Book Council's Banjo award, 1992, and Miles Franklin award, 1992, all for Cloudstreet. Tim Winton is perhaps t…
Nationality: American. Born: Carrington, North Dakota, 1941. Education: University of Illinois, Urbana, 1959-64, A.A. 1964. Career: Actor in Miami and New York, 1964-65; writer-in-residence, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1973-74; visiting professor, Wheaton College, Illinois, summers 1981 and 1984; visiting professor, 1983-84, professor of English, 1984-88, director of the Writing Program, 198…
Born 1933, in New Bedford, MA; Education: Tufts University, B.A., 1954; University of Buffalo, M.Ed., 1968. Hobbies and other interests: Grass-roots politics, volunteering in local mayor's office. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Malden Schools, Malden, MA, elementary-grade teacher, 1954–55; Amerikan Kiz Koleji, Izmir, Turkey, teacher, 1955–58; Amherst public school system, Amhe…
1961-2004 Football player, minister, philanthropist For a decade and a half, Reggie White dominated the National Football League as one of its most ferocious defensive players. White habitually struck terror into opposing offenses with his great strength, but he also possessed speed, stamina, and the ability to size up situations for maximum impact. Former Philadelphia Eagles head coach Buddy Ryan…
Born 1952, in Nottingham, England; Education: Durham University, graduated. Hobbies and other interests: Gardening, photography, Chinese martial arts. Agent—Sarah Molloy, A. M. Heath and Co. Ltd., 6 Warwick Ct., London WC1R 5DJ, England. Writer and writing tutor. Former translator. London Guardian Children's Fiction Award shortlist, 2004, and Branford Boase Award, 2005, both for Las…
1954— Research scientist, professor of sociology and public health Born into working-class poverty in a colonized society, David Williams observed the effects of racial and economic oppression from an early age. With the support of his family and his deeply held religious beliefs, he not only grew to believe in his ideas and abilities, but he also determined to live a life of service to oth…
Surname is pronounced "wish-in-ski"; born 1948, in Munich, West Germany (now Germany); immigrated to United States, 1949; immigrated to Canada, 1970s; became a sculptor) and Mala (a homemaker) Reches; Education: City University of New York, B.A., 1970; Ferkanf Graduate School, Yeshiva University, M.Sc., 1971. Politics: "Independent (but usually Democrat)." Religion: Jew…
1946- Bass-baritone opera singer, actor Widely considered one of the greatest singers of his generation, Jamaican-born bass-baritone Willard White made his professional operatic debut with New York City Opera, where he played the character of Colline in La Bohème in 1974. His European debut was with Welsh National Opera in Cardiff, Wales, where he played Osmin in Mozart's The Abducti…
1956- Filmmaker Marco Williams's documentaries offer an unflinchingly look in the face of hard issues like racism, injustice, and the black American experience. In filming personal issues such as the search for his father or the repercussions of a black man's murder at the hands of white racists, Williams has created a body of work that rises above its subjects. "The personal …
Born 1965, in Harare, Zimbabwe; Education: Attended London College of Printing. Hobbies and other interests: Basketball, squash, football, films, looking at magazines, watching television. Agent—Peters, Fraser & Dunlop, Drury House, 34-43 Russell St., London WC2B 5HA, England. Graphic designer and illustrator. Barkers Advertising and Marketing, Harare, Zimbabwe, designer, 1985ȁ…
(Dorothy Williams) Born 1945, in England; daugher of Peter Powell (an author and theatre director) and Joan Alexander Carnwath (a writer); stepEducation: Educated in England and Switzerland; studied painting at Richmond College; University of Surrey (Roehampton, England), M.A. (Hobbies and other interests: Animals, reading, travel, food, friends, film, children, music. Marcia Williams Agent…
Born 1923, in New York, NY. Education: Yale University, B.A., 1948. Agent—Curtis Brown, Ltd., 575 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10022. Writer. Jonathan Blake: The Life and Times of a Very Young Man, illustrated by Howard Simon, Knopf (New York, NY), 1956. Silversmith of Old New York: Myer Myers, illustrated by Leonard Everett Fisher, Farrar, Straus & Cudahy (New York, NY), 1958. Albert …
Born 1939, in Albion, ME; Education: New Brunswick Bible Institute (Canada), diploma, 1961; Fort Wayne Bible College, B.Re. 1963; St. Francis College (IN), M.S. (education), 1972; also attended University of Maine. Politics: Republican. Religion: Baptist. Hobbies and other interests: Small farming, gardening, poultry raising. Minister, educator, and writer. Palermo Baptist Churches, Palermo, ME, p…
(Lenny Wise, Leonard A. Wise, Leonard Allan Wise) Born 1940, in Chatham, Ontario, Canada; Ethnicity: "Jewish." Education: University of Toronto, B.A., LL.B. Religion: Jewish. Hobbies and other interests: Documentary films. Attorney, writer, and actor. Lawyer in private practice in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 1970–2000; writer and actor, beginning 1970. Member of board of directo…
1951— Lawyer, writer, essayist, educator Patricia J. Williams is "one of the most provocative intellectuals in American law," as noted in the Columbia University News upon her receipt of the MacArthur "genius" Fellowship in 2000. In her writings and teachings Patricia J. Williams always begins with the notion that experience counts. Society should not let case la…
1956-2005 Gospel vocalist and choir leader As a member of the award-winning contemporary gospel family quartet the Winans, Ronald Winans was a pioneer in the incorporation of modern pop sounds into the language of gospel music. As the leader of his own group, Ronald Winans Family & Friends, he brought contemporary sounds to a choral format and helped launch the careers of younger musicians.…
1957— Journalist Whitaker, Mark, photograph. AP/Wide World Photos. Near the end of 1998, Newsweek announced it had named veteran staff journalist Mark Theis Whitaker to the post of editor. Whitaker, who had worked for the magazine in various capacities, became the first African American editor of a major news weekly in the United States. As Carl Swanson remarked about Whitaker in the…
1951— Corporate executive Wilkins, Ray, photograph. AP/Wide World Photos. Ray Wilkins's career blossomed at SBC Communications, Inc., as the company expanded over the years. Serving as group president for marketing and sales for the telecommunications giant in 2004, this Texas native began his career with the company when it was still Southwestern Bell, the local telephone com…
1973— Music producer Pharrell Williams scored hit after hit beginning in 2002 thanks to his producing talents for an array of top musical acts. As one half of the Neptunes, Williams writes and puts a unique stamp on singles for Usher, Nelly, Justin Timberlake, and many others. He and his co-Neptune, high-school pal Chad Hugo, also put out music of their own under the "N.E.R.D."…
Born 1934, in Fairholme, Saskatchewan, Canada; Education: University of Alberta, B.A., 1956, M.A., 1960; Mennonite Brethren Bible College, B.Th., 1961; additional study at University of Tübingen, 1957-58, University of Manitoba, 1961, and University of Iowa, 1964. Religion: Mennonite. Hobbies and other interests: Photography, watching people, travel. Office—Department of English, Human…
Born 1957, in Queens, NY; father in the military, mother's name Essie (a domestic servant); Education: Graduated from Hofstra University; postgraduate study in creative writing at Queens College; studied dance under Alvin Ailey and Phil Black. Hobbies and other interests: Chess, playing Tetris, jogging, sewing. Agent—c/o Author Mail, HarperCollins Children's, 1350 Avenue of th…
(Elizabeth Winthrop Mahony) Born 1948, in Washington, DC; Education: Sarah Lawrence College, B.A., 1970. Politics: Democrat. Hobbies and other interests: Swimming, hiking, yoga. [Image Not Available] Berkshire Eagle, Pittsfield, MA, reporter, 1969; Harper & Row (publisher), New York, NY, assistant editor of Harper Junior Books, 1971–73; Editors Ink (manuscript evaluation service), New Y…
1982– Pitcher Willis, Dontrelle, photograph. Elsa/Getty Images. Even as Major League Baseball's 2003 National League Rookie of the Year, left-handed pitcher Dontrelle Willis seemed to be a classic baseball hero. He had a trademark style, with an ultra-high kick reminiscent of 1960s great Juan Marichal, and an unusual, deceptive windup. He wrote his mother's name inside his dis…
1945–2005 Playwright, poet August Wilson carved his signature on American theater by capturing the changing texture of black life in America his ten plays, each covering a different decade of the twentieth century. About his achievement, he remarked in American Theatre: "From the beginning, I decided not to write about historical events or the pathologies of the black community. The …
1962(?)– Actor Wilson, Dorien, photograph. Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images. A familiar face for well over a decade on television in the United States, actor Dorien Wilson displayed impressive versatility. He first attracted wide notice as Eddie on the HBO cable series Dream On, playing a womanizing talk show host in what was generally considered one of the most ribald shows on television. B…
