Miguel Angel Asturias was both a writer and a social champion. He spent his life fighting for the rights of Indians, for the freedom of Latin American countries from both dictatorships and outside influences—especially the United States—and for a more even distribution of wealth. He wrote mainly about the ancient Quiche culture. He was best known for his novels, such as El senor pres…
Nationality: Ghanaian. Born: Abeadzi Kiakor, Ghana, 1942. Education: University of Ghana, Legon, B.A. (honours) 1964; Stanford University, California. Career: Lecturer in English, University of Cape Coast, Ghana, 1970-82; Minister of Education, 1982-83; writer-in-residence, University of Richmond, Virginia, 1989; chair, African Regional Panel of the Commonwealth Writers' prize, 1990, 1991; …
1962— Musician Atkins, Juan, photograph. AP/Wide World Photos. Reproduced by permission. Juan Atkins is generally recognized as one of the creators of techno music, which spawned a whole group of genres now known as electronica, and he was probably the first person to apply the word "techno" to music. His novel electronic soundscapes influenced nearly every genre of mus…
Born in San Francisco, CA. Agent—c/o Author Mail, G. P. Putnam, 375 Hudson St., New York, NY 10014. Alternative education teacher and writer. International Reading Association Young Adults Choice, and Best Books for Young Adults citation, American Library Association (ALA), both for When Jeff Comes Home; New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age List, 2004, and ALA Popular Paperbacks …
Born 1949, in Menaldum, Netherlands; immigrated to Canada, 1981; Education: Attended teacher's college in the Netherlands, 1966-70; Laurentian University, B.A., 1986, B.Ed., 1989. Hobbies and other interests: Sewing clothes, crafts. Kindergarten teacher in Giekerk, Netherlands, 1969-73; teacher of kindergarten in North Bay, Ontario, beginning 1987; Vincent Massey Public School, North Bay, f…
Born 1984, in Silver Spring, MD; Education: Attended University of Massachusetts, beginning c. 2002. Hobbies and other interests: Cross-stitch, playing piano, gardening, cooking, carpentry, debate, learning new things. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Delacorte Press, Bantam Dell, 1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019. Novelist. Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Readers citation, American Library Associati…
Born 1953, in Providence, RI; Education: University of New Hampshire, B.F.A., 1976. Politics: Democrat. Religion: Christian. Children's book writer and illustrator; iconographer. Barn, Houghton Mifflin (Boston, MA), 1996. River, Houghton Mifflin (Boston, MA), 1999. Pearl, Houghton Mifflin (Boston, MA), 2001. The Thanksgiving Door, Houghton Mifflin (Boston, MA), 2003. David Lewis Atwell, The…
(Margaret Eleanor Atwood) Born 1939, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; married Jim Polk, 1967 Margaret Atwood (Photograph copyright © Christopher Felver/Corbis.)(divorced 1977); Education: University of Toronto, B.A., 1961; Radcliffe College, A.M., 1962; Harvard University, graduate study, 1962–63, 1965–67. Politics: "William Morrisite." Religion: "Immanent Tra…
Nationality: Canadian. Born: Ottawa, Ontario, 1939. Education: Victoria College, University of Toronto, 1957-61, B.A. 1961; Radcliffe College, Cambridge, Massachusetts, A.M. 1962; Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 1962-63, 1965-67. Career: Lecturer in English, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, 1964-65; instructor in English, Sir George Williams University, Montreal, 1967-68; te…
1946– Human rights activist Angelina Atyam was honored with a 1998 human rights prize from the United Nations for her work on behalf of thousands of kidnapped children in Uganda. Atyam's own daughter disappeared one day in 1996 along with dozens of other girls from her school, taken by the militia forces of a fundamentalist Christian guerrilla group operating in northern Uganda. Sinc…
Nationality: British. Born: Lisa Rynveld, London, 1953. Education: Attended school in London. Career: Farmer of sugar cane, avocados, pears, and sheep, Venezuela, 1972-78. Since 1972, writer. Awards: Somerset Maugham award, 1983, for The Long Way Home; John Llewellyn Rhys memorial prize, 1983, for Slow Train to Milan; Eric Gregory award, 1983, for poetry. Agent: A.M. Heath, 79 St. Martins Lane, Lo…
Nationality: American. Born: Lawrence, New York, 27 September 1917. Education: Groton School, Massachusetts, graduated 1935; Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, 1935-38; University of Virginia Law School, Charlottesville, LL.B. 1941; admitted to the New York bar, 1941. Military Service: Served in the United States Naval Reserve, 1941-45: Lieutenant. Career: Associate lawyer, Sullivan and Crom…
Born 1950, in Birmingham, England; Education: Attended Yeovil School of Art, Somerset College of Art, and Rolle Teacher Training College. Author and illustrator of children's books. Commercial artist; paper engineer for pop-up books. Formerly worked as a gardener for National Trust at Montacute House, Somerset, England; former motorcycle dispatch rider and telemarketer. Semi-professional ja…
Denise Quiñones August: 1980—: Miss Universe. "I feel like I am living a fantasy," Denise Quiñones August told People en Español. As the 50th Miss Universe, some would say she is. A rural girl from a mountain town, Quiñones had only been competing in pageants for three years before winning the title of Miss Universe. As the fourth Miss Universe …
1946— Publisher When Arnold A. Auguste left his native Trinidad for Canada, he planned on pursuing a journalism career. Unfortunately, he couldn't find a place to work that matched his ideals. "I didn't originally set out to own a paper, I just wanted to write," he told The Eye Opener. Steeped in equal doses of debt and optimism, Auguste began publishing Share, a…
1937- Politician Augustine, Jean, photograph. AP/Wide World Photos. Reproduced by permission In 1993 Jean Augustine made Canadian political history as the first black woman ever elected to the nation's House of Commons. Nine years later, Augustine achieved yet another historic advance when she became the first woman of African heritage to serve as a cabinet minister in Canada. "Being…
Born 1976, in Columbus, OH; Education: Ohio University, B.A. (creative writing); Vermont College, M.F.A. (creative writing for Hobbies and other interests: Travel. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Harcourt International, 6277 Sea Harbor Dr., Orlando, FL 32887. Writer. PhotoAssist, Inc., photo editor, 1999–2003; The History Factory, senior researcher, 2002–04; Words & Numbers, Bal…
Nationality: American. Born: Newark, New Jersey, 3 February 1947. Education: Columbia University, New York, B.A. 1969, M.A. 1970. Career: Has had a variety of jobs, including merchant seaman, census taker, and tutor; creative writing teacher, Princeton University, New Jersey, 1986-90. Awards: Ingram Merrill Foundation grant, for poetry, 1975, 1982; PEN Translation Center grant, 1977; National Endo…
Born 1951, in Buckinghamshire, England; daughter of a Royal Air Force flight lieutenant. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Candlewick Press, 2067 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140. Advertising art director and painter; illustrator of children's books, 1990—. Exhibitions: Works exhibited at the Tyron Gallery, London, England. Worldwide CLIO award for advertising, 1979, for art and…
Born 1953, in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; children. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Random House Australia, 20 Alfred St., Milsons Point, Sydney, New South Wales 2061, Australia. Writer and illustrator. Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book of the Year Awards, 1979, for The Oath of Bad Brown Bill; Critici in Erba award, Bologna Book Fair, 1985, for The Racing Car Driver�…
Born 1960, in Chichester, Sussex, England; Education: Attended Oxford Polytechnic; Exeter College of Art and Design, B.A. (graphic design; with honors). Hobbies and other interests: Collecting books on art and illustration. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Walker Books, 87 Vauxhall Walk, London SE11 5HJ, England. Illustrator. John Radcliffe II Hospital, medical laboratory scientific officer in depart…
Polly Baca-Barragán: 1941—: Politician, media relations specialist. Polly Baca-Barragán (known also as Polly Baca) was the first Hispanic woman to win a state senate election in Colorado. She was elected to the state house of representatives in 1974 and the state senate in 1984. Baca's life has been marked by a passion for public service. As a young woman she worked…
When most people think of art, their immediate response has been to imagine the kind of art found in museums. For instance, the works of Rembrandt or Chagall suggest great art of museum quality. In contrast, the kind of art that people could view on the streets of American cities has not always been considered to be great art. In fact, in the past, such art might have been simply labeled street ar…
Born 1958, in Fort Dix, NJ. Education: Attended Antioch University; studied in London and Dublin. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Tor Books, Editorial Office, 175 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10010. Interstitial Arts Foundation. The Changeling (for children), Random House (New York, NY), 1995. The Wood Wife, Tor Books (New York, NY), 1996. A Midsummer Night's Faery Tale, illustrated with dolls cr…
Born 1960, in New Brunswick, NJ; Ethnicity: "Jewish." Education: Attended Rhode Island School of Design, 1978–80; New School University, B.A., 1983. Politics: Democrat. Religion: Jewish. Hobbies and other interests: Skiing, tennis, hiking, birding. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Bollix Books, 1609 West Callender Ave., Peoria, IL 61606. Artist and children's book author/…
Joan Baez: 1941—: Singer, songwriter, activist. She began her career as a talented singer-songwriter, but Joan Baez became an icon of the 1960s civil-rights movement, and the "Queen of Folk Music." Young, sincere, and talented, she was featured on the cover of Time magazine, launching her as a significant folk singer. Baez became one of the leading voices of social conscio…
Nationality: Australian. Born: Adelaide, South Australia, 1941. Education: Norwood Technical High School, Adelaide. Career: Lived in India, 1968-70, and in England and Europe, 1970-74. Member of the Council, Australian National Gallery, Canberra, 1976-81. Awards: The Age Book of the Year award, 1980; National Book Council award, 1980; Victorian Premier's award, 1988. Murray Bail is, with P…
Born 1960, in CA; Education: San Jose State University, B.S. (graphic design). Politics: Liberal. Religion: "My own." Hobbies and other interests: Gardening, Koi and other critters. Author and illustrator. Commercial artist, with clients including Hallmark Cards and Will Vinton Productions, Portland OR. Formerly designed film sets for television production company. Society of Childre…
Nationality: British. Born: Peter Harry Bailey in Battersea, London, 1937. Education: Sir Walter St. John's School, London, 1948-53; Central School of Speech and Drama, London, 1953-56. Career: Actor, 1956-63. Literary Fellow, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and University of Durham, 1972-74; visiting lecturer, North Dakota State University, Fargo, 1977-79. Awards: Maugham award, 1968; Ar…
Born 1943, in Prestwick, Scotland; Education: Attended University of Melbourne, 1962-63. Australian Society of Authors. Adrift, Blackie (London, England), 1983, Viking (New York, NY), 1992. Little Brother, Nelson (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia), 1985, Viking (New York, NY), 1992. Riverman, Nelson (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia), 1986, Puffin (New York, NY), 1992. Eagle Island, Nelson (Melbourne,…
Nationality: British. Born: Liverpool, 1934. Education: Merchant Taylors' School, Liverpool; ballet school in Tring, Hertfordshire. Family: Married Austin Davies in 1954 (divorced 1959); one son and two daughters. Career: Actress with repertory theaters in Liverpool, Windsor, Salisbury, London, and Dundee, 1949-60; cellar woman in a bottle factory, London, 1970; clerk, Gerald Duckworth Ltd.…
Lourdes G. Baird: 1935—: Judge. Lourdes G. Baird became one of the highest-ranking Hispanic women in the U.S. Justice Department when she was appointed U.S. attorney for the Central District of California in 1990. The post involved supervising cases in a jurisdiction that was the largest in the United States at the time, comprised of seven counties with more than 12 million citizens. Du…
Born 1945; children: one son. Author, editor, and publisher. Formerly worked as a teacher; Ivy Close Publishing Company, cofounder with husband, Charles F. Baker III, beginning 1980; Classical Calliope (now Calliope magazine), co-editor and writer, beginning 1981. (All with Charles F. Baker III; for Calliope magazine) Best New Magazine designation, Library Journal, 1991; EdPress Golden Lamp Award,…
Nationality: American. Born: Buffalo, New York, 15 December 1922. Education: Indiana University, Bloomington, B.S. 1944. Military Service: Served in the United States Army Infantry, 1943-46. Career: Writer for television programs U.S. Steel Hour and Robert Montgomery Show; script supervisor, Zero One series, BBC Television, London. Elliott Baker's first novels, A Fine Madness and The Penny…
Born 1950, in England; Education: Attended Croydon College of Art, 1967-69; Brighton College of Art, B.S. (with honors), 1979. Politics: "Left." Freelance collage artist, filmmaker, and illustrator, 1972–. Exhibitions: Exhibitor at group shows, including Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, 1974, 1975; Portal Gallery, London, 1975; Crafts Council of Australia Gallery, Sydney, 1977…
1957— Singer Baker, Anita, photograph. Jo Hale/Getty Images. Anita Baker's rich and entirely distinctive alto voice has invited comparisons that range beyond the world of contemporary pop to include mention of such legendary jazz figures as Sarah Vaughan and Nancy Wilson. One of the leading performers in the field of sophisticated black adult pop in the late 1980s and early 19…
Born 1947, in Lancaster, Lancastershire, England; Education: University of Manchester, B.A. (with honors), 1969; St. Anne's College, Oxford, B.Litt, 1973; Aberdeen Teacher Training College, teaching certificate, 1974. Religion: Church of England (Anglican). Hobbies and other interests: Early music. Novelist and educator. Jewish High School for Girls, Manchester, England, teacher of English,…
Surname pronounced "Ba-leet"; born 1961, in Manchester, England; current surname, Price) Balit; Education: Chelsea School of Art, B.A.; Royal College of Art, M.A.; also attended Morley Theatre School and Questors Theatre School. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Lisa Eveliegh, 26-A Rochester Sq., London NW1 9SA, England. Illustrator and playwright. City and Guilds School of Art, London, …
Nationality: British. Born: Shanghai, China, 1930. Education: Leys School, Cambridge; King's College, Cambridge. Military Service: Served in the Royal Air Force. Awards: Guardian Fiction prize, 1984; James Tait Black Memorial prize, 1985. Agent: Margaret Hanbury, 27 Walcot Square, London SE11 4UB. I believe that science fiction is the authentic literature of the 20th century, the only fic…
Born 1955; Education: Attended Brown University. Agent—Amanda Lewis, Doe Coover Agency, P.O. Box 668, Winchester, MA 01890. University of Chicago Laboratory School, Chicago, IL, third-grade teacher, c. 1980-2002; freelance writer. The Ghosts of Nantucket: Twenty-three True Accounts, Down East Books (Camden, ME), 1984. Nantucket Hauntings, Down East Books, 1990. Chasing Vermeer, illustrated …
Born 1968; Education: Columbus College of Art and Design, B.F.A., 1990; Lesley University, M.F.A., 2005. Hobbies and other interests: Creating novelty Web sites including kookychow.com, luncheonloaf.com, breadwig.com, and suxco.com. Commercial artist, illustrator, and writer. Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA, illustration lead/designer, 1992–97; Big Idea Productions, Lombard, IL, 3-D desi…
1898(?)-1997 Politician President Hastings Kamuzu Banda was the sole source of Malawi's political power between 1958 and 1994. Ambitious and goal-oriented in his youth, he matured into a political sophisticate who spearheaded his country's vehement struggle against forced federation with Northern and Southern Rhodesia and negotiated the former Nyasaland's independence from Bri…
Antonio Banderas: 1960—: Actor, director. Antonio Banderas made a quick transition from little-known Spanish actor to Hollywood heartthrob with his 1992 American film debut in The Mambo Kings. Though he seemed to have come from nowhere, he had already made a name for himself in his native Spain, having acted in more than 30 films. He never considered himself a sex symbol during the earl…
(Garrett Bang) Born 1943, in Princeton, NJ; Education: Wellesley College, B.A., 1965; University of Arizona, M.A., 1969; Harvard University, M.A., 1971. Author, illustrator, and translator. Doshisha University, Kyoto, Japan, teacher of English, 1965-67; Asahi Shimbun, New York, NY, interpreter of Japanese, 1969; Baltimore Sunpapers, Baltimore, MD, reporter, 1970. Illustrator and consultant for UNI…
Born 1929, in London, England; Education: Attended Italia Conte Stage School, 1946, and Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, 1947–49. Politics: "Socialist." Hobbies and other interests: Theater, gardening, teaching ESL abroad. Agent—Sheila Watson, Watson, Little Ltd., 12 Egbert St., London NW1 8LJ, England. Lynne Reid Banks Writer and journalist. Actress in English repertory …
Model, actress 1973— Tyra Banks has parlayed her supermodel status into film, television, and music; her career is proceeding well according to her ambitious plans. A hit on the runways of top designers since the early 1990s, Banks's career segued first into television and later into film, when she was cast in a leading role in the 1995 film Higher Learning, written and directed by J…
Nationality: American. Born: Newton, Massachusetts, 29 March 1940. Education: Colgate University, Hamilton, New York, 1958; University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 1964-67, A.B. 1967 (Phi Beta Kappa). Career: Mannequin dresser, Montgomery Ward, Lakeland, Florida, 1960-61; plumber, New Hampshire, 1962-64; publisher and editor, Lillabulero Press, and co-editor, Lillabulero magazine, Chapel Hill, …
1975(?)– Rapper, producer Banner, David, photograph. AP/Wide World Photos. Termed "a thug intellectual in a world of crunk" by the Miami New Times, Mississippi rapper David Banner made a name for himself as an artist whose work is rife with contrasts and contradictions. He did not shy away from exploiting the raunchy and violent themes characteristic of hip-hop music's …
Nationality: Irish. Born: Wexford, 1945. Education: Christian Brothers School, and St. Peter's College, both Wexford. Career: Copy editor, Irish Press, Dublin, 1970-83. Since 1989 literary editor, Irish Times, Dublin. Awards: Allied Irish Banks prize, 1973; Arts Council of Ireland Macaulay fellowship, 1973; Irish-American Foundation award, 1976; James Tait Black Memorial prize, 1977; Guardi…
Born 1956, in San Francisco, CA; Education: University of California, Davis, B.A., 1976; San Francisco Art Institute, M.F.A., 1980. Agent—c/o Author Mail, HarperCollins Children's, 1350 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019. Freelance illustrator, author, animator, and painter. Certificate of Excellence, American Institute of Graphic Arts Book Show, and Parents' Choice Aw…
children: two daughters. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Lucent Books, 10911 Technology Place, San Diego, CA 92127. Writer. AIDS ("Diseases and Disorders" series), Lucent Books (San Diego, CA), 2004. Championship Science Fair Projects: 100 Sure-to-Win Experiments, Sterling (New York, NY), 2004. Chemotherapy, Lucent Books (San Diego, CA), 2004. The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Blackbirch …
Nationality: Irish Born: Leland Hone, India, 1928. Education: Alexandra School, Dublin; London University, 1950s. Career: Various jobs, London and Paris, 1940s; playwright and writer for radio, Ireland, 1960s; poetry editor, Force 10 magazine, County Sligo, Ireland. Over the past four decades Leland Bardwell has been an important and popular presence in Irish writing. As a poet, dramatist, short …
Nationality: British. Born: St. Paul's Cray, Kent, 1918. Education: Schools in Beckenham, Kent, and Wallington, Surrey. Career: Worked for Amalgamated Press, London, 1936; reader, Cresset Press, London, 1947; secretary and sub-editor, BBC, London, 1949-78. Member of the Executive Committee, English PEN, 1981-85. Awards: Atlantic award, 1946; Maugham award, 1947; Cheltenham Festival award, 1…
Nationality: British. Born: Thornaby-on-Tees, England, 1943. Education: LSE, B.Sc.1965. Career: Has taught further education. Awards: Fawcett prize, for Union Street; Booker Prize, 1995, for The Ghost Road. Agent: Curtis Brown Associates, 162-168 Regent Street, London W1R 5TA, England. Union Street was Pat Barker's first novel, and at once marked her as a powerful voice in objective realism…
1917-2003 Fire captain, civil rights activist Roosevelt Barlow was among a small group of African-American firefighters to integrate the Philadelphia Fire Department, enduring extremely harsh treatment and fighting against entrenched institutional racism. He risked his life to help his brothers in the department and to help his community become a better place for all minorities. Barlow was among t…
Born 1956, in Los Angeles, CA; Education: Attended University of California, Irvine, 1974–75; attended Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, 1977; University of California, Berkeley, B.A. (studio art and Asian studies; magna cum laude), 1979; attended Art Center College of Design, 1979–81. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Crown, Random House, 1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019. Children&#x…
1963- Professional soccer player, soccer analyst Barnes, John, photograph. © Rune Hellestad/Corbis. During his stellar career as a professional soccer, or football, player in England, John Barnes played for England 79 times, scoring 12 goals. He was a member of the Liverpool team that won the league title in 1988 and 1990, the Football Association (FA) Cup in 1989 and 1992, and the League C…
1952— Author, martial artist The author of more than 20 books of speculative fiction, as well as screenplays, teleplays, and short stories, Steven Barnes also has been a lecturer and creative consultant, a martial artist, and a self-declared expert on human performance. One of only a handful of successful black science-fiction writers, Barnes jump-started his career by collaborating with sc…
Pseudonym: Dan Kavanagh. Nationality: British. Born: Leicester, 1946. Education: City of London School, 1957-64; Magdalen College, Oxford, 1964-68, B.A. (honours) in modern languages 1968; also studied law. Family: Married Pat Kavanagh in 1979. Career: Editorial assistant, Oxford English Dictionary supplement, 1969-72; contributing editor, New Review, London, 1977-78; assistant literary editor, 19…
1901–2004 Actor Etta Moten Barnett achieved several notable firsts in her long career on the New York stage and Hollywood screen. She rose to fame in the 1930s and was one of the most admired African-American entertainment personalities of her era. Her credits include a long engagement as Bess in the landmark George Gershwin musical Porgy and Bess, but she is also thought to have been the f…
Nationality: American. Born: Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 1960. Education: Michigan State University, B.A. 1982; Oxford University, M. Phil. 1989. Agent: Henry Durlow, Harold Ober and Associates, 425 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10017, U.S.A. Wilton Barnhardt is an epochal novelist, targeting phases, periods, decades. In his first novel, Emma Who Saved My Life, Gil narrates his twenties-l…
OBITUARY NOTICE—See index for SATA sketch: Born August 2, 1921, in Manhattan, NY; died of heart failure, February 5, 2004, in Langhorne, PA. Educator and author. Barr was well known for his work as headmaster of the Dalton School and Hackley School in New York state, but he was also the author of nonfiction books for children, as well as the lighthearted space opera Space Relations: A Sligh…
Born 1955, in Cleveland, OH; maiden name, Peters) Barrett; Tracy Barrett Education: Attended Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies, Rome, Italy, 1974-75; Brown University, A.B. (classics; magna cum laude; with honors), 1976; University of California, Berkeley, M.A. (Italian), 1979, Ph.D. (medieval Italian), 1988. Politics: Democrat. Hobbies and other interests: Knitting, traveling to …
Nationality: American. Born: 16 November 1954. Education: Union College, Schenectady, New York, 1974, B.S. in Biology. Career: Faculty, Northlight Writers' Conference, Moorhead, Minnesota, 1988-89, and Mount Holyoke Writers' Conference, 1991-93; senior fiction fellow, New York State Summer Writers' Institute, Skidmore College, 1993; faculty, Warren Wilson MFA Program for Writ…
Ray Barretto: 1929—: Musician. Ray Barretto has explored and expanded the possibilities of Afro-Cuban Jazz for more than five decades. In the 1950s he introduced the conga drums to bebop, and during the 1960s he spread the sounds of salsa while keeping a busy schedule as a session player. In the 1970s he began experimenting with fusion, and during the 1980s he successfully straddled the…
Born 1940, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada; died, 1996; Education: Attended Ball State University. Hobbies and other interests: Folk music, singing. Actor in television and film, Los Angeles, CA, 1961-63; The Journal Herald, Dayton, OH, columnist, 1968-69; Detroit Free Press, Detroit, MI, columnist, 1969-70; Monday Magazine, Victoria, BC, Canada, founding editor and contributor, 1975-77; Vancouver Sun…
1984- Vocalist Barrino, Fantasia, photograph. Evan Agostini/Getty Images The third-season winner of television's American Idol singing competition in 2004, Fantasia Barrino, stood out from tough competition for two reasons. Above all, she was a vocal powerhouse, a singer with the kind of raw vocal talent the program's voting audience hadn't encountered before. And she made a s…
Nationality: British. Born: Horbury, Yorkshire, 1928. Education: Ossett Grammar School. Career: Draftsman and sales executive in the engineering industry, 1944-62. Lives in Hawath, West Yorkshire. Awards: Writers Guild award, 1974; Royal Television Society award, 1975. M.A.: Open University, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, 1982. Honorary Fellow, Bretton Hall College, Wakefield Yorkshire, 1985. Age…
Nationality: American. Born: Cambridge, Maryland, 1930. Education: The Juilliard School of Music, New York; Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, A.B. 1951, M.A. 1952. Career: Junior instructor in English, Johns Hopkins University, 1951-53; instructor, 1953-56, assistant professor, 1957-60, and associate professor of English, 1960-65, Pennsylvania State University, University Park; professor of Eng…
Nationality: American. Born: Houston, Texas, 1943; brother of the writer Donald Barthelme. Education: Tulane University, New Orleans, 1961-62; University of Houston, 1962-65, 1966-67; Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (teaching fellow; Coleman Prose award, 1977), 1976-77, M.A. 1977. Career: Architectural draftsman, Jerome Oddo and Associates, and Kenneth E. Bentsen Associates, both Houston, 1965…
Female. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Candlewick Press, 2067 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140. Author and illustrator of children's books. Cat among the Cabbages, Levinson (London, England), 1996, Dutton (New York, NY), 1997. Eric the Reindeer, Hodder (London, England), 1997. Malorie Blackman, Alexander McCall Smith, and Sally-Ann Lever, Crazy Crocs,, Longman (Harlow, England), 1994.…
Male. Education: Birmingham Polytechnic (illustration; first class), 1990. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Dutton's Children's Books, Dutton, Penguin Putnam, 375 Hudson St., New York, NY 10014. Illustrator and author of children's books. Freelance graphic artist. Mother Goose Award runner up, 1999, for Pinocchio; Kate Greenaway Medal shortlist, 2002, for Man on the Moon: A Day i…
Born 1958, in Amersham, England; immigrated to Australia, 1966; Australian citizen; Education: Swinburne Institute of Technology, diploma of art, 1978. Religion: Church of England (Anglican). Hobbies and other interests: Listening to and writing music. Agent—c/o Penguin Books Australia Ltd., 487 Maroondah Highway, P.O. Box 257, Ringwood, Victoria 3134, Australia. Worked in advertising at de…
Surname pronounced "Baht a-me"; born 1950, in Scranton, PA; Education: Hebrew University, Jerusalem, B.A., 1974; California State University, Los Angeles, M.A., 1980; University of Pittsburgh, Ph.D., 1989. Religion: Jewish. Hobbies and other interests: Research on multiple perspectives in American historical fiction and nonfiction for children, gardening, caring for the family'…
Born 1957 in Moscow, ID; Education: Ricks College, Associate of Arts and Sciences, 1978; Brigham Young University, B.S., 1982; University of Washington, M.A., 1987. Religion: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon). Office—Brigadoon Elementary School, 3601 SW 336th St., Federal Way, WA 98023. Writer. Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA, librarian, 1987–. Societ…
Born 1960; two children. Agent—c/o Author Mail, University of Queensland Press, Staff House Rd., P.O. Box 6042, St. Lucia, Queensland 4067, Australia. Creative writing teacher and writer. Book of the Year designation, Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA), for Rain May and Captain Daniel; CBCA Honour Book for Older Readers designation, and Australian Family Therapists' A…
Born 1937, in Smithfield, VA; Education: Attended University of North Carolina, 1955–57; New School for Social Research, B.A., 1959; Columbia University, M.A., 1962. Agent—c/o Author Mail, PeachTree Publishing, 1700 Chattahoochee Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30318-2112. New York Public Library, New York, NY, library clerk, 1957–59; New York Cancer Research Institute, New York, NY, sec…
Born 1951, in Paris, TX; maiden name, Gwendolyn Battle-Lavert Dangerfield) Battle; Education: Paris Junior College, A. S. (elementary education), 1972; East Texas State University, B.S. (elementary education), 1974; Texas A & M University, M.Ed. (reading specialist certification), 1976; also attended Texarkana Community College, 1990, and Institute of Indiana State University, study …
Born 1955, in Hamburg, Germany. Education: Studied illustration at Fachhochschule für Gestaltung, Hamburg, Germany. Agent—c/o Author Correspondence, Kane/Miller Book Publishers, P.O. Box 8515, La Jolla, CA 92038. Cartoonist, book illustrator, filmmaker and author. Films for children include Julie und das Monster, 1996, Die Königin der Farben (The Queen of Colors), 1997, and Gr…
Born 1955, in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Education: University of Queensland, B.A. and Dip.Ed., 1977. Michael Gerard Bauer Agent—c/o Author Mail, Omnibus Books/Scholastic Australia, 335 Unley Rd., Malvern, South Australia 5061, Australia. Writer and educator. Teacher of economics and English teacher in Brisbane and Ipswich, Queensland, Australia. Brisbane Writers Festival WriteSmall C…
Born 1951, in River Forest, IL; children: Jean. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers, 345 Hudson St., New York, NY 10014. Author. Has also worked as an advertising and marketing salesperson, a writer for magazines and newspapers, and a screenwriter. Delacorte Prize for First Young Adult Novel, 1992, for Squashed; Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults selection, Americ…
Nationality: American. Born: New York City, 1933. Education: Brooklyn College, New York, 1951-55, A.B. 1955; Columbia University, New York, 1955-56, M.F.A. 1956; Stanford University, California, 1958-61, Ph.D. 1961. Military Service: Served in the United States Army, 1956-58. Career: Instructor, Stanford University, 1958-60; instructor, 1961-62, and assistant professor, 1962-64, Ohio State Univers…
Nationality: American. Born: Fort Benning, Georgia, 1945. Education: George Mason University, B.A. 1973; University of Iowa, M.F.A. 1975; also attended Northern Virginia Community College. Military Service: U.S. Air Force, survival instructor, 1966-69. Career: Worked as singer-songwriter and comedian; professor, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, 1980—. Awards: National Endowment f…
Nationality: British. Born: Nina Mabey in London, 1925. Education: Ilford County High School; Somerville College, Oxford, B.A. 1946, M.A. 1951; Salzburg Seminar in American Studies, 1960. Career: Assistant, Town and Country Planning Association, 1946-47; Justice of the Peace for Surrey, 1968-76. Regular reviewer, Daily Telegraph, London. Awards: Guardian award, for children's book, 1976; Yo…
Nationality: American. Born: San Diego, California, 1951. Education: San Diego State College (now University), A.B. 1969. Career: Worked in bookstores, a planetarium, and as a freelance teacher in San Diego, California. Awards: Nebula Award (Science Fiction Writers of America), best novelette and best novella, 1984, best short story, 1987, best novel, 1994; Hugo Award, best novelette, 1986, best s…
1912-1988 Artist A master of technique best known for his collage and photomontage compositions, esteemed artist Romare Bearden consistently depicted African-American culture and experience in his work. His oeuvre reflects the influences of various art traditions and reveals themes common to many different cultures—themes of death, the family, religious ritual, and the beauty of natural lan…
Born 1957, in Nottingham, England; Education: High Pavement Grammar School, 1969-74. Religion: Buddhist. Hobbies and other interests: Reading, keeping fit, yoga. Agent—Elizabeth Roy, White Cottage, Greatford, Nr Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 4PR, England. Civil service worker in Nottingham, England, 1974-91; author, 1991—. Sir Gadabout, illustrated by Tony Ross, Dent Children's…
Nationality: American. Born: Washington, D.C., 1947. Education: American University, Washington, D.C., B.A. 1969; University of Connecticut, Storrs, 1970-72, M.A. 1970. Career: Visiting assistant professor, 1976-77, visiting writer, 1980, University of Virginia, Charlottesville; Briggs Copeland Lecturer in English, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1977-78. Awards: Guggenheim fellowshi…
Born 1953, in Chico, CA; Education: Attended California State University, Chico, 1971–73; Reed College, B.A. (English literature), 1976. Freelance writer. Vermont College, Montpelier, member of faculty of MFA program in writing for children and young adults, beginning 2003. Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (regional advisor, Oregon chapter, 1990–92, 1993…
Born 1942, in Detroit, MI; stepdivorced; Education: Ohio State University, B.S., 1964, M.A., 1967, Ph.D., 1971. Religion: Lutheran. Hobbies and other interests: Reading, hiking, tennis, ice skating, traveling. Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. North American River Otters, KidHaven Press (San Diego, CA), 2002. The North American Beaver, KidHaven Press (San Diego, CA), 2002…
Also writes as Steve Dodge. Nationality: American. Born: Mount Vernon, New York, 1927. Education: Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1943-47, B.A. 1947; Yenching University, Peking, 1947-48. Military Service: Served in the United States Marine Corps, 1945. Career: Instructor, Tsing Hua University, Peking, 1947-48; teaching fellow, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, 1951-52; le…
Nationality: Northern Irish. Born: Belfast, Northern Ireland, 1926. Education: Attended St. Mary's Training College. Career: Teacher at primary schools in Belfast, Northern Ireland, 1945-56. Awards: Arts Award (Ireland Sunday Tribune), 1987. Agent: Nat Sobel, Nat Sobel Associates, Inc., 146 East 19th Street, New York, New York 10003, U.S.A. Mary Beckett's two collections of short st…
Born 1949, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Education: University of Toronto, B.A., 1971. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Tundra Books, 481 University Avenue, Suite 900, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 2E9. Full-time writer, 1982—. St. Michael's College Library, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Library assistant, 1971-78; Gardenshore Press, Toronto, pressman, 1978-81. Governor General's Liter…
children: Isobel, Tom. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Magi Publications/Little Tiger Press, 1 The Coda Centre, 189 Munster Rd., London SW6 6AW, England. Writer, beginning 1997. Formerly worked as a scientist. Portsmouth (England) Book Award shortlist, 2004, for The Copy Crocs. It's My Turn, illustrated by Elaine Field, Little Tiger Press (London, England), 2000, Tiger Tales (Wilton, CT), 20…
Nationality: British. Born: Sybille von Schoenebeck in Charlottenburg, Germany, 1911. Education: Privately in Italy, England, and France. Career: Worked as a law reporter: covered the Auschwitz trial at Frankfurt for the Observer, London, and the Saturday Evening Post, Philadelphia, 1963-65, and the trial of Jack Ruby at Dallas for Life, New York, 1964. Vice-president, PEN, 1979. Awards: Society o…
Hobbies and other interests: Music, reading, traveling. Office—Starcatcher Press, 256 Tudor Circle, Ashland, OR 97520. Actor, film producer and director, and writer. Gathering at Bigfork (playwright conference), co-founder and director with husband, Malcolm Hillgartner; Where We Live Productions (film production company), co-founder and creative director, with Hillgartner; Starcatcher Pres…
Born 1995. Hobbies and other interests: Puppet making, traveling. Agent—c/o Author Mail, HK Portfolio, Mela Bolinao, 10 East 29th St., No. 40-G, New York, NY 10016. Illustrator. Artist-in-residence at Ottawa School of Art, Ottawa, Canada, and on various expeditions. Designer of textiles and greeting cards. Aesop's Fables, Bloomsbury (London, England), 1998. Bigger Smaller, David �…
Born 1958, in Sheffield, England; Education: University of Nottingham, B.A. (with honors), 1980. Hobbies and other interests: Collecting books, comics, records, and CDs. Agent—Jennifer Luithlen, The Rowans, 88 Holmfield Rd., Leicester LE2 1SB, England. Worked variously as a street sweeper, conservation ranger, and credit union officer; teacher of English, drama, and media studies in Nottin…
1948— Corporate executive Bell, James A., photograph. AP/Wide World Photos. Reproduced by permission. Growing up in the working-class black community of south central Los Angeles, James Bell might have believed that the greatest success he could hope for was to land a steady job with the Post Office, like his father. Yet Bell recognized that an opportunity existed for another kind of…
Born 1958, in Denver, CO. Hobbies and other interests: Camping; reading; board and fantasy gaming. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Harper-Collins, 10 East 53rd St., New York, NY 10022. Part-time reference librarian; writer. Hilari Bell Best Books for Young Adults selection, American Library Association, and Best Book for the Teen Age selection, New York Public Library, 2002, both for A Matter…
Born 1936, in Sudbury, Suffolk, England; Education: Somerville College, Oxford University, B.A., 1957; Oxford University, M.A., 1962. Hobbies and other interests: Breeding Birman cats, gardening, cooking. Freelance translator, adapter, and writer, 1958—. Judge, annual Schlegel-Tieck German translation prize in England. Translators Association (England). (Adapter) The Great Menagerie, Kestre…
Nationality: American. Born: Williamson County, Tennessee, 1957. Education: Princeton University, New Jersey, A.B. (summa cum laude) in English 1979; Hollins College, Virginia, M.A. 1981. Career: Writer-in-residence, Goucher College, Towson, Maryland, 1984-86, 1988-89; lecturer, YMHA Poetry Center, New York, 1984-86; visiting lecturer, University of Iowa Writers Workshop, Iowa City, 1987-88; lectu…
Born 1938, in Marshall, MI; died of cardiovascular disease March 8, 1991, in Haverhill, MA; Education: University of Notre Dame, A.B., 1959; University of Chicago, M.A., 1960. Politics: Democrat. Hobbies and other interests: Archaeology, history, Dickens, wine-tasting, cheese, Latin, "trivia of all kinds." Freelance writer. College of St. Teresa, Winona, MN, instructor in English, 19…
1963— Singer Belle, Regina, photograph. Frederick M Brown/Getty Images. Singer Regina Belle has dazzled critics and fans alike since her debut album, All By Myself, was released in 1987. Acclaimed as one of the most exciting new singers to emerge on the rhythm and blues scene, the New Jersey songstress boasts a style that recalls some of the most successful black pop female singers i…
Nationality: American. Born: Lachine, Quebec, Canada, 1915; grew up in Montreal; moved with his family to Chicago, 1924. Education: Tuley High School, Chicago, graduated 1933; University of Chicago, 1933-35; Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 1935-37, B.S. (honors) in sociology and anthropology 1937; did graduate work in anthropology at University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1937. Military Se…
Born 1955, in Morocco; Education: University of Toulouse, degree (psychology). Psychologist and writer. Child psychologist in private practice, Madrid, Spain, 1978–94; consultant in human resources, Madrid, 1988–94; Laredo Publishing/Renaissance House, Beverly Hills, CA, editorial director, 1995–2005; author. Caperucita roja y el lobo goloso (translation of "Little Red …
(Peter Bradford Benchley) Born 1940, in New York, NY; Education: Harvard University, A.B. (cum laude), 1961. Hobbies and other interests: Fishing, sharks, poker, theater, films, classical guitar. Office—Agent—International Creative Management, 40 West 57th St., New York, NY 10019. Novelist. Washington Post, Washington, DC, reporter, 1963; Newsweek, New York, NY, associate editor, 196…
Born 1962, in New York, NY; Education: Syracuse University, B.F.A. (with honors; illustration), 1984. Hobbies and other interests: Home renovation, reading, listening to music, bike riding, cats, movies. Editorial illustrator, New York, NY, 1984-91; writer and illustrator, New York, NY, 1991—. Exhibitions: Society of Illustrators Original Art show, 1992, 1994, 1997; Dairy Barn show, Athens…
Also writes as Sterling Blake. Nationality: American. Born: Mobile, Alabama, 1941. Education: University of Oklahoma, B.S. 1963; University of California, San Diego, M.S. 1965, Ph.D. 1967. Career: Fellow, Lawrence Radiation Laboratory, Livermore, California, 1967-69, research physicist, 1969-71, consultant; assistant professor, University of California, Irvine, 1971-73, associate professor, 1973-7…
Elsa Benitez: 1977—: Model. Mexican-born model Elsa Benitez graced the cover of Sports Illustrated's famous swimsuit issue in 2001. Her career seemed off to a promising start, but she took a break from the fast-paced fashion world to study acting and become a mother. She and her husband, former Miami Heat player Rony Seikaly, became parents to daughter Mila in 2003. Born in 1977,…
1944- Art historian, educator Benjamin, Dr. Tritobia Hayes, photograph. Photo by Jarvis Grant. A distinguished art historian and champion of black artists, Tritobia Hayes Benjamin has been a member of the Art Department at Howard University since 1970. She was made full professor of art history in 1993 and is associate dean of the Division of Fine Arts and director of the Howard University Gallery…
Born 1942; Education: Illinois Wesleyan University, B.A., 1964; Illinois State University, M.A., 1966. Hobbies and other interests: Mythology, photography. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Holiday House, 425 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10017. Writer. Worked as a teacher of creative writing at a community college until 1976; aide to high school-aged, mentally handicapped students, Bloomington, IL, 1…
Born 1942; Education: Wesleyan University, B.A., 1964; attended graduate school at Illinois State University, 1966. Hobbies and other interests: Mythology, photography. Writer. Worked as a teacher of creative writing at a community college until 1976; aide to high school-aged mentally handicapped students, Bloomington, IL, 1983-95. Writer-in-residence, Illinois secondary schools. "1995�…
(C. J. Anders, a joint pseudonym, Carrie Austen, Zoey Dean, a joint pseudonym) Born 1960, in Buffalo, NY; Education: University of Michigan, B.A. Religion: Jewish. Hobbies and other interests: Trave, theater, film, reading, cooking. Home and office—P.O. Box 150326, Nashville, TN 37215. Author, playwright, and syndicated columnist. Performer in Broadway, off-Broadway, and regional theater p…
1973-2005 Actor, rapper Bentley, Lamont, photograph. UPN/Landov. Known for his charisma and talent, actor Lamont Bentley stole the hearts of television and movie viewers from the time he was a teen. Debuting on a 1986 Starburst commercial, the young actor went on to play bit parts in several television series and movies. His first recurring role came in 1994 on the short-lived, but critically accl…
(Stanley Berenstain) OBITUARY NOTICE—See index for SATA sketch: Born September 29, 1923, in Philadelphia, PA; died of lymphoma, November 26, 2005, in Doylestown, PA. Illustrator and author. Along with his wife, Jan, Berenstain was the creator of the popular "Berenstain Bears" series of children's picture books. The Berenstains first met while attending classes in 1941 a…
Born 1957, in Queens, NY; Education: Attended Columbus College of Art and Design, 1974–76, and Philadelphia College of Art, 1979–81. Hobbies and other interests: Biking, guinea pigs, and gardening. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Henry Holt & Co. Children's Books, 115 W. 18th St., New York, NY 10011. Glassman Advertising Agency, Fairfield, NJ, assistant art director, 1977–…
Born 1948, in Brooklyn, NY; Education: Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, B.A. (magna cum laude), 1968; New York University, J.D., 1972. Office—Wealthbuilder, 406 Center St., South Orange, NJ 07079. Agent—Charlotte Sheedy, Charlotte Sheedy Literary Agency, Inc., 145 West 86th St., New York, NY 10024. Financial consultant, author, and attorney. Admitted to the bars o…
Born 1927, in Brooklyn, NY; Education: Attended City College of New York (now City College of the City University of New York), 1944-45; Eastman School of Music, B.M., 1951; Columbia University, M.A., 1952; University of London, associate degree, 1965. City College (now City College of the City University of New York), New York, NY, lecturer, 1951-54; Plain-view (NY) High School, teacher of music,…
Nationality: British. Born: Stoke Newington, London, 1926. Education: Central School of Art and the Chelsea School of Art, London. Military Service: Served in the Oxford and Buckinghamshire Infantry, 1944-46. Career: Painter and drawing teacher, 1948-55; contributor, Tribune and New Statesman, both London, 1951-60; television narrator, About Time, 1985, and Another Way of Telling, 1989. Artist: ex…
Nationality: American. Born: Cincinnati, Ohio, 1924. Education: The University of Cincinnati, B.A. 1948; Columbia University, New York, 1950-51. Military Service: Served in the United States Army, 1943-46. Career: Librarian, Rand School of Social Science, New York, 1948-51; staff member, New York Times Index, 1951-52; associate editor, Popular Science Monthly, New York, 1952-54; film critic, Esqui…
Born 1961, in Hastings, England; Education: Attended Bexhill College, 1976-78; Eastbourne College of Art, diploma, 1983. Religion: Church of England (Anglican). Hobbies and other interests: Historic reconstruction. Illustrator of children's books, 1983—. Chartered Society of Designers (diploma member). Times Educational Supplement award for book illustration in the senior age group, …
Education: Attended college. Hobbies and other interests: Riding horses. Office—Bergsma Gallery 1301 Fraser St. #A6, Bellingham, WA 98229. Illustrator, author, designer, and figurative painter. Bergsma Gallery, Bellingham, WA, owner, beginning 1984; contractual artist for SeaWorld. Best Children's Book, Coalition of Visionary Retailers, and Best Children's Picture Book Award,…
See index for SATA sketch: Born November 22, 1914, in New York, NY; died December 18, 2003, in Tamarac, FL. Linguist and author. The grandson of the founder of the famous Berlitz language schools, Berlitz was a former president of Berlitz Publications who later became well known for his books on such bizarre topics as the Bermuda Triangle, Atlantis, UFOs, and secret military experiments. Learning …
Carmen Bermúdez is one of the highest-ranking Latina executives in the American financial-services industry. As founder and chief executive officer of Mission Management & Trust Co. in Tucson, Arizona, Bermúdez is considered a pioneer in the asset management sector, for hers was the first such company in the country to be owned by a minority woman. What makes Bermúdez&#…
Nationality: British. Born: London, 1954. Education: Manchester University, B.A. (honors) in philosophy; Leicester Polytechnic, P.G.C.E.; University of London, M.A. (with distinction) in English. Career: Has held jobs as landscape gardener, mechanic, and carpenter; teacher for ten years. Awards: Commonwealth Writers prize, 1991, 1992; Lannan Literary Award, 1995. Agent: Lavinia Trevor, 6 The Glass…
1960– Sociologist, entertainer The halls of academia are not usually considered a breeding ground for comedians, but the intellectual environment of a major university inspired Bertice Berry and served as the first stage for her performing talents. Berry, who has done turns as a stand-up comedian, talk-show host, sociology lecturer, novelist, and gallery owner has devoted her talents to hel…
1951-2003 Actor Fred Berry, the portly actor best known for his comic turn as "Rerun" on the hit ABC sitcom What's Happening!! in the late 1970s, died in 2003 at the age of 52 in Los Angeles. Berry never returned to the stardom he attained early in his career, but became a minister and motivational speaker later in his life. One of his last roles was a cameo in the 2003 David …
1936— Psychotherapist, social worker During the first 20 years of his life, Don Berrysmith encountered a broad range of the African-American experience. From segregated Louisiana to liberal, but largely white, Seattle, and from Texas boot camp to the bistros of Paris and Copenhagen, Berrysmith learned about racism from the overt to the subtle. In Europe, he also got a glimpse of another wor…