Biographies: Craig David Biography - Became Teenage MC to Herman Edwards Biography

Brief Biographies

Craig David Biography - Became Teenage MC, Launched Solo Career, Remained Loyal to Home-Grown Values, Selected discography

David, Craig, photograph. Jens Kalaene/DPA/Landov. 1981- Musician British rhythm-and-blues (R&B) singer Craig David rocketed to success at age 19 with his very first album, Born to Do It. His unique blend of soulful lyrics, subtle melodies, and infectious beats have earned him critical admiration and popular fame, prompting Sir Elton John to proclaim him the best singer in England. The son of a bl…

6 minute read

Lawrence David (1963–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1963, in Boston, MA; Education: Bennington College, B.A., 1985; New York University, M.F.A., 1987. Agent—Cynthia Cannell, Janklow & Nesbit, 598 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10022. Teacher's assistant at a school in New York, NY, 1991–92; Bantam, Doubleday, Dell Books for Young Readers, New York, NY, assistant to the publisher, 1992–93; freelance writer, beginning 199…

6 minute read

Lionel Davidson Biography

Nationality: British. Born: Hull, Yorkshire, 1922. Military Service: Served in the Royal Naval Submarine Service, 1941-46. Career: Freelance magazine journalist and editor, 1946-59. Awards: Authors Club award, 1961; Crime Writers Association Gold Dagger, 1961, 1967, 1979. Agent: Curtis Brown, 28/29 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4SP, England. A novelist in various genres, Lionel Davidson has become most w…

5 minute read

Nicola Davies (1958-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Writings, Sidelights

(Stevie Morgan) Born 1958, in Birmingham, England; Education: Kings College, Cambridge, UK, honors degree (zoology). Agent—Celia Catchpole, 56 Gilpin Ave., East Sheen, London. Freelance broadcaster and writer. Writes newspaper column for The Independent under the pseudonym Stevie Morgan. Big Blue Whale, illustrated by Nick Maland, Candlewick Press (Cambridge, MA), 1997. Bat Loves the Night…

6 minute read

Jacqueline Davies (1962-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1962, in Cleveland, OH; Education: Brown University, B.A., 1984. office—c/o Author Mail, Dial Books for Young Readers/Dell Publishing, 1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036. Children's book author. Where the Ground Meets the Sky, Marshall Cavendish (New York, NY), 2002. The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon, illustrated by Melissa Sweet, Houghton Mifflin (Boston, MA…

3 minute read

Donald Davis (1944–) Biography - Personal, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

(Donald D. Davis) Born 1944, in Waynesville, NC; Ethnicity: "Caucasian" Education: Davidson College, B.A., 1966; Duke University, M.Div., 1969. Christ United Methodist Church, High Point, NC, minister, 1967–89; storyteller, lecturer, and writer, 1967–. Has appeared at numerous storytelling festivals, conferences, and teachers' workshops in United States and abroa…

8 minute read

Katie ?)- Davis (1959() Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1959, in New York, NY; Education: Attended American College of Paris; Boston University, B.S. Hobbies and other interests: Camping, tennis, eating Hot Tamales candy. Agent—c/o Author Mail, HarcourtSanDiego, 525 "B" St., Suite 1900, San Diego, CA 92101. Author and illustrator. Formerly worked in public relations and advertising. Founder, Dirty Dishes (ceramics and design …

5 minute read

James E. Davis Biography

1962-2003 Politician New York City councilman James E. Davis died in a bizarre city hall shooting in 2003 that caused panic in the municipal building as well as the activation of an emergency-event plan for Lower Manhattan. The Brooklyn Democrat was gunned down by a political rival, with whom he was trying to forge a more productive working relationship. It was a tragic end for the irascible Davis…

6 minute read

Tyrone Davis Biography - Experienced a Musical Revolution, Scored String of Soul Hits, Performed Non-Stop until Death

1938-2005 Singer Davis, Tyrone, photograph. © Jack Vartoogian/Front Row Photos. In a career spanning more than four decades, singer Tyrone Davis sold over 25 million records. One of the fathers of what music history has labeled "Chicago Soul," Davis became famous for his bedroom voice, intimate lyrics, and flashy suits. Women loved him, musicians imitated him, and soul af…

7 minute read

Frank Marshall Davis Biography - Victim of Attempted Lynching, Worked for Associated Negro Press, Moved to Hawaii, Selected works

1905-1987 Poet, journalist A central figure in African-American literary history, Frank Marshall Davis was a poet whose work drew on and put a personal stamp on many of the trends in black poetry of the 1930s and 1940s. He was influenced by jazz and tried to evoke its rhythms in words. He drew detailed portraits of urban African-American life. And like Langston Hughes and many of his other contemp…

7 minute read

Charles T. Davis Biography - Selected works

1918-1981 Literary critic, scholar Charles T. Davis made a name for himself as an influential literary critic and scholar. His early work was on American poetry of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, but later in his career Davis began to focus more on black literature, culture, and history. His work boosted the study of black American literature and helped bring it to the fore as a sign…

6 minute read

Ernie Davis Biography - The Young Athlete, College Career, NFL Career Cut Short, Died at Age (23)

1939-1963 Professional football player Davis, Ernie, photograph. AP/Wide World Photos. Reproduced by permission. Ernest R. Davis, commonly known as Ernie, was one of the best running backs ever to play college football. He followed the legendary Jim Brown to Syracuse University, where he led the Orangemen to a national championship in 1959, and in 1961 he became the first African American t…

11 minute read

Liam Davison Biography - Liam Davison comments:

Nationality: Australian. Born: Melbourne, Victoria, 1957. Education: Melbourne State College, B.A. in education 1979. Career: Taught creative writing, Peninsula College of Technical and Further Education. Awards: Australia Council/Literature Board fellowship, 1989, 1991; Marten Bequest Travelling Scholarship, 1992, for prose; National Book Council Banjo award, 1993, for fiction. Much of my fictio…

5 minute read

P.M. Dawn Biography - Selected works

1970 & 1971— Musical group P.M. Dawn enjoyed some impressive pop-music success in the 1990s with the hippie-style, radio-friendly, peace-and-love rap songs of Prince Be and D. J. Minutemix. The unusual samples and gliding melodies from these two young New Jersey musician-brothers were showcased in their 1991 hit "Set Adrift on Memory Bliss," from their platinum-selling …

7 minute read

Jennifer Dawson Biography - Jennifer Dawson comments:

Nationality: British. Education: Mary Datchelor School, London; St. Anne's College, Oxford, M.A. in history 1952. Career: Has worked for Clarendon Press, Oxford, as a social worker in a mental hospital, and as a teacher. Lives in Charlbury, Oxfordshire. Awards: James Tait Black Memorial prize, 1962; Cheltenham Festival award, 1963; Fawcett prize, for Judasland, 1990. My greatest passion in…

4 minute read

Alexandra Day (1941–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

(Sandra Louise Woodward Darling) Born 1941, in Cincinnati, OH; Education: Swarthmore College, B.A., 1963; trained as an artist at Art Students' League (New York, NY), 1963–64. Religion: Episcopalian. Hobbies and other interests: Fashion design and dressmaking. Office—Blue Lantern Studio, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98103-6900. Fine artist, writer, illustrator, and boo…

16 minute read

Nancy Raines Day (1951-) Biography - Writings, Sidelights - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards

Born 1951, in Denver, CO; Education: University of Michigan, B.A., 1972; Syracuse University, M.A., 1974. Politics: Democrat. Religion: Protestant. Hobbies and other interests: Swimming, rowing, reading, music. Agent—Barbara Kouts, P.O. Box 560, Bellport, NY 11713. Business Journals, Inc., Stamford, CT, assistant editor, 1973; New Readers Press, Syracuse, NY, assistant editor, 1973-74; Zif…

less than 1 minute read

Peter (Malcolm de Brissac) Dickinson (1927-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Adaptations, Sidelights

Born 1927, in Livingstone, Northern Rhodesia (Now Zambia); children: (first marriage) Philippa Lucy Anne, Dorothy Louise, John Geoffrey Hyett, James Peter Dickinson Christopher Meade. Education: Attended Eton College, five years; King's College, Cambridge, B.A., 1951. Politics: "Leftish." Religion: "Lapsed Anglican." Agent—A. P. Watt, Ltd., 20 John …

24 minute read

Juan Carlos de Borbón y Borbón: 1938—: King of Spain Biography - Attempted To Bridge Gap In Politics, Faced Challenges To Prosperous Reign

Juan Carlos de Borbón y Borbón: 1938—: King of Spain. Spain's King Juan Carlos I has ushered his country through an unusual political evolution: handpicked by military dictator Generalissimo Francisco Franco to succeed him, the new monarch quickly moved to restore Spain to a democratic constitutional government in the late 1970s. In doing so he gave up much of his o…

1 minute read

Ralph (Anthony Charles) de Boissière Biography - Ralph de Boissière comments:

Nationality: Australian. Born: Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, 1907; moved to Australia, 1947; became citizen, 1970. Education: Queen's Royal College, Port-of-Spain, 1916-22. Career: Accounts clerk, 1927-28, and salesman, Standard Brands, 1929-39, both Trinidad; clerk, Trinidad Clay Products, 1940-47; auto assembler, General Motors-Holden, 1948, cost clerk in car repair shops, 1949-55, freelance w…

10 minute read

Oscar de la Hoya: 1973—: Boxer Biography - Started Boxing At An Early Age, Won Olympic Gold, Became Knock-out King, Capitalized On Golden Boy Image

Oscar De La Hoya: 1973—: Boxer. Oscar De La Hoya became the "Golden Boy" of boxing with his surprising win of a gold medal in the 1992 Olympic Games. Since then he has captured five boxing titles in five different weight classes, ranking him among boxing's elite. He has often been referred to as the best contemporary American boxer. Oscar De La Hoya was born on Febr…

1 minute read

Erzsi Deàk (1959-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1959 in CA; children: three daughters. Agent—c/o Author Mail, HarperCollins, 10 East 53rd St., 7th Floor, New York, NY 10012. Journalist, editor, and writer. Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (member, board of advisors, and international coordinator). (Editor, with Kristin Embry Litchman) Period Pieces: Stories for Girls, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 2003. Co…

2 minute read

Carolee Dean (1962-) Biography - Personal, Sidelights - Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Work in Progress

Agent—George Nicholson, Sterling Lord Literistic, Inc., 65 Bleecker St., New York, NY 10012. Contract speech and language pathologist for middle school and high school students with communication disorders, Albuquerque, NM. Gives dramatic readings from her works. Also works with adults and young children in an early intervention program. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Societ…

less than 1 minute read

Nicolas Debon Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

Born in Nancy, France. Education: Studied at the Nancy School of Arts. Office—21 rue des Prés aux Bois, 78000 Versailles, France. Author and illustrator. French Ministry of Culture, worked in the contemporary visual arts department; French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, worked at the French Consulate in Toronto, Ontario, Canada; freelance illustrator, 1998—. Draftsman for a stain…

4 minute read

Lovenia DeConge-Watson Biography

1933– Mathematician, educator Dr. Lovenia DeConge-Watson spent 37 years in higher education, 29 of them at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Although most of her career was devoted to teaching and administration, DeConge-Watson published several short mathematical notes, three of them in the prestigious Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Mary Lovenia DeConge was b…

6 minute read

Ruby Dee Biography - Selected works

1924— Actress, civil rights activist, writer Actress and social activist Ruby Dee expressed her philosophy in I Dream a World: Portraits of Black Women Who Changed America: "You just try to do everything that comes up. Get up an hour earlier, stay up an hour later, make the time. Then you look back and say, 'Well, that was a neat piece of juggling there—school, marriage…

16 minute read

Merri Dee Biography - Found Calling in Broadcasting, Overcame Attack to Help Others

1936– Broadcaster Merri Dee's 30-year career in Chicago broadcasting is admirable in itself. One of the first African-American women to anchor the news in the Windy City, Dee has parlayed her celebrity into charitable work. She has raised millions of dollars for children's charities, spearheaded victims' rights legislation, and helped increase adoption rates in Illinois…

6 minute read

Cynthia DeFelice (1951–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

(Cynthia C. DeFelice) Born 1951, in Philadelphia, PA; stepEducation: William Smith College, B.A., 1973; Syracuse University, M.L.S., 1980. Hobbies and other interests: Quilt making, dulcimer playing, hiking, backpacking, bird watching, fishing, reading, watching films. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Farrar, Straus & Giroux, Inc., 19 Union Square West, New York, NY 10003. Storyteller and writer. Wor…

18 minute read

Diane deGroat (1947–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1947, in Newton, NJ; Education: Attended Phoenix School of Design, 1964; Pratt Institute, B.F.A., 1969. Agent—c/o Author Mail, HarperCollins, 1350 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019-4703. Illustrator and author of books for children, 1971–. Holt, Rinehart &Winston (book publishers), New York, NY, book designer, then art director of Basic Reading Program, 1969…

17 minute read

Len Deighton Biography

Nationality: British. Born: Leonard Cyril Deighton in London, 1929. Education: Marylebone Grammar School, St. Martin's School of Art, and Royal College of Art, 1952-55, all London. Military Service: Served in the Royal Air Force. Family: Married Shirley Thompson in 1960. Career: Has worked as a railway lengthman, pastry cook, dress factory manager, waiter, illustrator, teacher, and photogr…

9 minute read

Lulu Delacre (1957-) Biography - Personal, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1957, in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico; daughter of Georges Carlos (a philosophy professor) and Marta (a French professor; Education: Attended University of Puerto Rico, 1976-77; Ecole Supérieure d'Arts Graphiques, degree (first in class), 1980. Religion: Roman Catholic. Children's book author and freelance illustrator, 1980—. Juror for Society of Illustrators Original Art …

7 minute read

Samuel R(ay) Delany Biography

Nationality: American. Born: New York City, 1942. Education: The Dalton School and Bronx High School of Science, both New York; City College of New York (poetry editor, Promethean), 1960, 1962-63. Career: Butler Professor of English, State University of New York, Buffalo, 1975; Fellow, Center for Twentieth Century Studies, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, 1977; since 1988 professor of comparati…

10 minute read

Nicholas Franklin Delbanco Biography

Nationality: American. Born: London, England, 1942. Education: Harvard University, B.A. 1963; Columbia University, M.A. 1966. Career: Member of Department of Language and Literature, Bennington College, Bennington, Vermont, 1966-84, writing workshop director, 1977-84; professor of English, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, New York, 1984-85; Robert Frost Professor of English Language and Literat…

8 minute read

Ronald Delice and Rony Biography

1966— Fashion designers, entrepreneurs On the cutting edge of men's fashion design since the late 1990s, twin brothers Ronald and Rony Delice have become known for creating fine suits that incorporate bold color combinations with edgy styling. Their Ron & Ron menswear label, worn by such celebrities as Will Smith and Samuel L. Jackson, has brought the brothers both critical ac…

5 minute read

Don Delillo Biography

Nationality: American. Born: New York City, 1936. Education: Fordham University, Bronx, New York, 1954-58. Awards: Guggenheim fellowship, 1979; American Academy award, 1984; National Book award, 1985; Irish Times-Aer Lingus prize, 1989; PEN-Faulkner award for fiction, 1991; Jerusalem Prize, 1999. Agent: Wallace Literary Agency, 177 East 70th Street, New York, New York 10021, U.S.A. Don DeLillo�…

12 minute read

William Demby Biography - Selected writings

1922— Author While he has never quite achieved the stature of such contemporaries as Richard Wright and Ralph Ellison, William Demby is without question one of the most important African American authors of the twentieth century. His novels address issues of race and national identity with an unsurpassed power and command of imagery. An expatriate living in Rome for much of his career, Demb…

7 minute read

Thomas Covington Dent Biography - From Academia to Activism, Worked with Free Southern Theater, Oral Historian, Selected writings

1932-1998 Writer, civil rights activist Thomas Covington Dent, usually known as Tom Dent, was an author, a playwright, a poet, an essayist, a civil rights activist, and an oral historian. He was a leading member of a group of black writers who during the 1950s merged artistic expression with explorations of black identity. Combining the quest for self-identity and cultural identity with a politica…

8 minute read

Thomas Anthony dePaola (1934-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Adaptations, Sidelights

(Tomie dePaola) Surname pronounced "da-pow-la"; born 1934, in Meriden, CT; Education: Pratt Institute, B.F.A., 1956; California College of Arts and Crafts, M.F.A., 1969; Lone Mountain College, doctoral equivalency, 1970. Religion: Roman Catholic. office—c/o Author Mail, Penguin Young Readers Group, 345 Hudson St., New York, NY 10014. Author and illustrator of books for childre…

45 minute read

Luis Ernesto Derbéz Bautista: 1947—: Economist, Government Official Biography

Luis Ernesto Derbéz Bautista: 1947—: Economist, government official. Since his appointment to the post of minister of the economy in 2000, Luis Ernesto Derbéz Bautista has been at the forefront of many of the policies transforming the Mexican economy. Developing newly-elected President Vicente Fox's much-needed economic reform measures, U.S.-trained economist Derb&#…

9 minute read

Anita Desai Biography - Anita Desai comments:

Nationality: Indian. Born: Anita Mazumbar, Mussoorie, 1937. Education: Queen Mary's Higher Secondary School, New Delhi; Miranda House, University of Delhi, B.A. (honours) in English literature 1957. Career: Since 1963 writer; Purington Professor of English, Mount Holyoke College, 1988-93; professor of writing, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1993—. Helen Cam Visiting Fellow, G…

11 minute read

Boman Desai Biography

Nationality: American. Born: Bombay, India, 1950. Education: Illinois Institute of Technology, 1969-71; Bloomsburg State College, 1971-72; University of Illinois at Chicago, B.A. 1977. Career: Has worked as telephone interviewer and demographics researcher. Currently, a secretary for Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago. Award: Illinois Arts Council award, 1990, for "Under the Moon;" Stan…

3 minute read

Shashi Deshpande Biography - Shashi Deshpande comments:

Nationality: Indian. Born: Dharwad, 1938. Education: The University of Bombay, B.A. (honors) in economics 1956, diploma in journalism 1970, M.A. in English 1970; University of Mysore, Karnataka, B.L. 1959. Awards: Raugammal prize, 1984; Nanjangud Tirumalamba award, for The Dark Holds No Terrors, 1989; Sahitya Academy award, 1990. Though no writer in India can get away from the idea of social comm…

7 minute read

Lisa Desimini (1964-) Biography - Awards, Honors, Sidelights - Personal, Career, Writings

Born 1964, in Brooklyn, NY; Education: School of Visual Arts (New York, NY), B.F.A., 1986. Children's book illustrator and writer. Taught illustration at the School of Visual Arts, New York, NY. I Am Running Away Today, Hyperion (New York, NY), 1992. Moon Soup, Hyperion (New York, NY), 1993. My House, Holt (New York, NY), 1994. Sun and Moon: A Giant Love Story, Scholastic (New York, NY), 19…

2 minute read

Christel Desmoinaux (1967-) Biography - Personal, Career, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1967, in Nogent-sur-Marne, France; Education: Attended Met de Penninghen (art school; Paris, France), 1984-86; École de Communication Visuelle (Paris, France), 1986-88. Hobbies and other interests: Travel, cinema, languages, literature, music, theater. Illustrator, 1988—. Comme il rougit, M. Souris!, Bordas (Paris, France), 1989. Panique dans l'ascenseur, Fleurus (Paris, Fr…

7 minute read

Carl Deuker (1950-) Biography - Personal, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1950, in San Francisco, CA; Education: University of California at Berkeley, B.A., 1972; University of Washington, M.A., 1974; University of California at Los Angeles, teaching certificate, 1976. Politics: Democrat. Saint Luke School, Seattle, WA, teacher, 1977-90; Northshore School District, Bothell, WA, teacher, 1991—. Seattle Sun (daily newspaper), film and book critic, 1980-85. Aut…

11 minute read

Ted Dewan (1961-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1961, in Boston, MA; Education: Brown University, degree (engineering and electronic music); studied art with author/illustrator David Macaulay. Hobbies and other interests: Music. Agent—c/o Author Mail, David Fickling Books, 31 Beaumont St., Oxford OX1, England. Milton Academy, Boston, MA, physics instructor for five years; illustrator and cartoonist, 1988—. Society of Authors…

8 minute read

Narinder Dhami (1958-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Adaptations, Sidelights

Born 1958, in Wolverhampton, England; Education: University of Birmingham, B.A., 1980. Agent—Rosemary Canter, PFD, Drury House, 34-43 Russell Street, London WC2B 5HA, England. Worked as a primary school teacher in London, England, c. 1980-90; full time writer, 1990—. TSB Birmingham Children's Book Award, 1996, for Starring Alice Mackenzie; Big-Three Book Award, 2000-01, for An…

5 minute read

Farrukh Dhondy (1944-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1944, in Poona, Bombay, India. Education: Wadia College, Poona, B.Sc.; Cambridge University, B.A. (English), 1967; University of Leicester, M.A. (English). Agent—c/o Nicky Lund, David Higham Associates, 5-8 Lower John Street, Golden Square, London W1F 9HA, England. Henry Thornton Comprehensive School, Clapham, London, England, English teacher; Archbishop Temple School, Lambeth, London,…

9 minute read

Eilis Ní Dhuibhne Biography

Also writes as Elizabeth O'Hara. Nationality: Irish. Born: Eilis Deeney in Walkinstown, Dublin, 1954. Education: University College Dublin, Ireland, B.A. 1974, M. Phil. 1976, Ph.D. 1982. Career: Folklore collector, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland, 1978-80; assistant keeper, National Library, 1980-95; folklore lecturer, People's College, 1986-92; writer of books for childre…

3 minute read

David ?)- Diaz (1959() Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1959, in New York, NY; Education: Attended Fort Lauderdale Art Institute, earned diploma. Hobbies and other interests: Ceramics, music. Agent—c/o Author Correspondence, Lee & Low Books, 95 Madison Ave., Suite 606, New York, NY 10016. Graphic artist and illustrator. Worked variously as a newspaper illustrator, graphic designer, and graphic artist in California, 1980—. Cald…

11 minute read

Cameron Diaz: 1972—: Model, Actress Biography

Cameron Diaz: 1972—: Model, actress. "She has an energy, an electricity in her face—a sparkle that is unmistakable," photographer Jeff Dunas is quoted as having said in People Weekly about model-turned-actress Cameron Diaz. Diaz is an interesting combination of naiveté and geek—she actually won a belching trophy from Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awa…

7 minute read

Kate Dicamillo (1964-) Biography - Personal, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Adaptations, Sidelights

Born 1964, in Merion, PA; Education: University of Florida, B.A., 1987. Writer. Bookman (book distributor), St. Louis Park, MN, former bookstore clerk. McKnight artist fellowship for writers, 1998; Newbery Honor Book award, and Hedgie Award, Hedgehogbooks.com, both 2000, and Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award, 2002, all for Because of Winn-Dixie; finalist, National Book Award, fo…

11 minute read

Eric Jerome Dickey Biography - Followed an Unlikely Road to Fame, First Novel Rose to Bestseller Status, Selected works

1961– Writer Eric Jerome Dickey has made a name for himself as "one of the few kings of popular African-American fiction for women," according to the New York Times. By 2006 Dickey had topped the New York Times bestseller list six times. Selling more than 500,000 books each year since 1999, Dickey has found a large reading audience with his novels that shatter stereotypes abou…

8 minute read

Joan Didion Biography

Nationality: American. Born: Sacramento, California, 1934. Education: California Junior High School and McClatchy Senior High School, both Sacramento; University of California, Berkeley, 1952-56, B.A. in English 1956. Career: Associate feature editor, Vogue, New York, 1956-63; moved to Los Angeles, 1964; columnist ("Points West"), with Dunne, Saturday Evening Post, Philadelphia, 1967…

7 minute read

Charles (Henri Diederick Höefsmit) de Lint (1951-) Biography - Career, Awards, Honors, Sidelights - Personal, Addresses, Member, Writings

(Samuel M. Key) Born 1951, in Bussum, Netherlands; immigrated to Canada, 1952, naturalized citizen, 1961; Education: Attended Aylmer and Philemen Wright high schools. Hobbies and other interests: Music, fine arts. Agent—Russell Galen, Scovil Chichak Galen Literary Agency, Inc., 381 Park Avenue South, Suite 1020, New York, NY 10016. Science Fiction Writers of America, SF Canada. De Grijze R…

3 minute read

Deborah Diffily Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings

Female. Education: University of North Texas, Denton, Ph.D. (early childhood education). Office—Center for Teacher Education, Southern Methodist University, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205. Educator and writer. Worked as a pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and first-grade teacher; Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, assistant professor of early childhood education. Honoring Our Profe…

1 minute read

Olivia Lee Dilworth Stanford Biography - First in Family to Graduate from College, Built Own Business in New York

1914-2004 Businesswoman, pianist, and community leader Olivia Stanford packed many full and successful lives within the almost ninety years she lived. First known nationally as the co-owner of the largest black beauty salon in the United States, she was also an accomplished musician and producer of musical performances. In addition to raising her three children and creating elegant homes in New Yo…

10 minute read

Birago Diop Biography - Selected writings

1906-1989 Writer At the time of his death in 1989, Birago Diop was one of Senegal's most prominent writers, and had been since he first rose to fame in the 1950s. Though he wrote in the French language, Diop's works drew upon the folktales of his West African nation's indigenous Wolof culture. An obituary in the Times of London praised his "deceptively simple stories&#x…

7 minute read

Sylviane A. Diouf (1952–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

(Sylviane Anna Diouf) Born 1952, in France; Education: Paris University, B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. Office—Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 515 Malcolm X Blvd., New York, NY 10037-1801. Writer. Libreville University, Gabon, assistant professor, 1976–79; Jeune Afrique, Paris, France, journalist, 1979–82; Senegalese diplomatic service, first counselor, 1982–99;…

8 minute read

Kelly DiPucchio Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Writings, Work in Progress, Sidelights

Born 0027;s name John; children: Laurel, Nick, Hannah. Education: Graduated from Michigan State University. Agent—c/o Author Mail, HarperCollins Children's, 1350 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019. Writer. Bed Hogs, illustrated by Howard Fine, Hyperion Books for Children (New York, NY), 2004. Liberty's Journey, illustrated by Richard Egielski, Hyperion Books for Chil…

2 minute read

Waris Dirie Biography - Grew Up in Nomadic Setting, Modeled for Calendar, Published Autobiographical Novel, Selected writings

1965(?)– Women's rights activist, model Dirie, Waris, photograph. Arnd Wiegmann/Reuters/Landov. Though she was among the top models in the world for some years, model Waris Dirie has disfigured feet, covered with scars she acquired during a nine-day flight across the desert after she ran away from her nomadic family in Somalia to escape a forced marriage. Those are not, however, her …

9 minute read

Tony Diterlizzi (1969-) Biography - Personal, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1969. Education: Attended Florida School of the Arts; graduate of Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, 1992. Writer and illustrator. The Spider and the Fly, illustrated by DiTerlizzi and written by Mary Howitt, was named a Caldecott Honor Book, 2003. Ted, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (New York, NY), 2001. Jimmy Zangwow's Out-of-This-World Moon Pie Adventure, Simon �…

8 minute read

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni Biography

Nationality: Indian-American. Born: Chitra Banerjee in Calcutta, India, 1956. Education: Calcutta University, B.A. 1976; Wright State University, M.A. 1978; University of California, Berkeley, Ph.D. 1985. Career: Professor of creative writing, Diablo Valley College, 1987-89; Foothill College, Los Altos, California, 1989—. Awards: Memorial Award (Barbara Deming Foundation), 1989; Writing Awa…

4 minute read

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni (1956-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Adaptations, Sidelights

Born 1956, in Calcutta, India; Education: Calcutta University, B.A., 1976; Wright State University, M.A., 1978; University of California—Berkeley, Ph.D., 1985. Office—Foothill College, English Department, 12345 El Monte Rd., Los Altos, CA 94022-4504. Diablo Valley College, professor of creative writing, 1987-89; Foothill College, Los Altos, CA, professor of creative writing, 1989…

7 minute read

Stephen Dixon Biography - Stephen Dixon comments:

Nationality: American. Born: New York City, 1936. Education: City College, New York, 1953-58, B.A. in international relations 1958. Career: Worked in various jobs, including bartender, waiter, junior high school teacher, technical writer, journalist, news editor, store clerk, and tour leader, 1953-79; lecturer, New York University School of Continuing Education, 1979-80. Assistant professor, 1980-…

12 minute read

E(dgar) L(awrence) Doctorow Biography

Nationality: American. Born: New York City, 1931. Education: The Bronx High School of Science; Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio, A.B. (honors) in philosophy 1952; Columbia University, New York, 1952-53. Military Service: Served in the United States Army, 1953-55. Career: Editor, New American Library, New York, 1960-64; editor-in-chief, 1964-69, and publisher, 1969, Dial Press, New York; member of the…

7 minute read

Dayle Ann Dodds (1952-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Work in Progress, Sidelights

Born 1952, in Ridgewood, NJ; Education: California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, B.S. in Childhood Development. Agent— Ginger Knowlton, Curtis Brown, Ltd., Ten Astor Pl., New York, NY 10003. Writer, 1989—. Teacher and teacher's aide for kindergarten, first through third grades, and art classes in Palo Alto, CA, 1975-78; administrative assistant for a publishin…

8 minute read

Howard Dodson Jr. Biography - Center Preserves and Shares Knowledge, Inspired to Study Cultural Histories, Moved by King Assassination

1939— Historian, educator, curator Howard Dodson, Jr., has committed his professional life to the retrieval, preservation, interpretation, and dissemination of the history and culture of African and African American peoples. Since 1984, he has served as chief of the New York Public Library's Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, the world's leading and most prestigio…

13 minute read

Craig A. Doherty (1951–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1951, in Boston, MA; Education: Attended University of New Mexico, 1970–73; University of Massachusetts, B.A., 1979. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Facts on File, Inc., 123 W. 31st St., New York, NY 10001. Berlin High School, Berlin, NH, English teacher, 1987–. Writer. The Apaches and Navajos, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1989. The Iroquois, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1989. Benazir Bhu…

6 minute read

Kieran Doherty (1945-) Biography - Personal, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Work in Progress, Sidelights

Born 1945, in Chicago, IL; Politics: Democrat. Religion: Episcopal. Writer. Formerly worked as a journalist. American Writers and Artists Institute, Delray Beach, FL, copywriter and mentor, 1998–. Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Voice of Youth Advocate Award for teen fiction, 2004. Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients, Enslow Publishers (Springfield, NJ), 1998…

4 minute read

Plácido Domingo: 1941—: Opera Singer, Conductor, Administrator Biography - Talented Soccer Goalie, Has Memorized Over 30 Roles, The Three Tenors

Plácido Domingo: 1941—: Opera singer, conductor, administrator. The Spanish-Mexican tenor Plácido Domingo is among the greatest all-around musicians of the last quarter of the twentieth century. With a voice matched only by a very few of his contemporaries, he has sung every major role in the classical operatic repertoire and quite a few more unusual roles. With fellow ten…

1 minute read

Cari Dominguez: 1949—: EEOC Chair Biography - Joined Bank Of America, Nominated For Eeoc Chair, Addressed Canadian Parliament

In 2001 Cari Dominguez was sworn in as chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the foremost civil rights agency in the United States. Dominguez's position has allowed her to continue her lifelong work with employment-related and advancement issues, and to address the barriers raised by discrimination in a proactive, rather than reactive, way. Dominguez was born on March…

less than 1 minute read

J(ames) P(atrick) Donleavy Biography

Nationality: Irish. Born: Brooklyn, New York, United States, 1926; became Irish citizen 1967. Education: A preparatory school, New York; Trinity College, Dublin. Military Service: Served in the United States Naval Reserve during World War II. Awards: London Evening Standard award, for drama, 1961; Brandeis University Creative Arts award, 1961; American Academy award, 1975; Gold award, Houston Worl…

7 minute read

Jennifer Donnelly (1963-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Adaptations, Work in Progress, Sidelights

Born 1963, in Port Chester, NY; Education: University of Rochester (English literature and European history; magna cum laude). Agent—c/o Author Mail, Harcourt St., Suite 1900, San Diego, CA 92101. Writer. Formerly worked as an antiques dealer, journalist, and copywriter. American Library Association Michael L. Printz Honor Book designation, Zoen honor (Netherlands), Los Angeles Times Book …

7 minute read

Matt Donnelly (1972-) Biography - Personal, Career, Writings, Work in Progress, Sidelights

Born 1972, in Lowell, MA; Education: Northeastern University, B.S., 1994; Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, M.A., 1998. Politics: "Conservative Republican." Religion: Roman Catholic. Hobbies and other interests: Theology, history. Fresh Start Academy, Minneapolis, MN, educational assistant, 2001-02; Chop Point School, Woolwich, ME, high school teacher, 2002—. Freelance copy…

1 minute read

Karl Dorrell Biography - Criticized Father's Study Habits, Guided Careers of Future Pro Players

1963— Football coach One of just a few African-American head football coaches serving at Division I college programs in the mid-2000s, Karl Dorrell faced doubters on a variety of fronts when he took the helm for the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins in the fall of 2003. Dorrell was not yet 40 years old at the time, and the plum UCLA post was his first head coaching job. …

7 minute read

Arthur Dorros (1950–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Work in Progress, Sidelights

(Arthur M. Dorros) Surname is pronounced "doh-rohs"; born 1950, in Washington, DC; Education: University of Wisconsin at Madison, B.A., 1972; Pacific Oaks College, postgraduate studies and teaching certification, 1979. Hobbies and other interests: Filmmaking, building, carpentry, horticulture, travels worldwide (particularly in Asia and Central and South America), and Spanish languag…

17 minute read

Mary Pearl Dougherty Biography

1915-2003 U.S. Foreign Service employee Mary Pearl Dougherty had few African-American contemporaries, and fewer still who were women, when she began her career with the United States Foreign Service in the 1940s. She was not an ambassador but a secretary, and histories of the U.S. State Department and diplomatic corps have little to say about her. But her knowledge of the diplomatic world was deep…

5 minute read

Ellen Douglas Biography

Nationality: American. Born: Josephine Ayeres in Natchez, Mississippi, 1921. Education: The University of Mississippi, Jackson, B.A. 1942. Family: Married Kenneth Haxton in 1945 (divorced); three sons. Career: Writer-in-residence, Northeast Louisiana University, Monroe, 1978-82, and since 1982 University of Mississippi; visiting professor, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, 1984; Welty Prof…

6 minute read

Denzil Douglas Biography - Began Political Career Early, Experienced Troubled Political Times, Won a Landslide Victory, Won a Third Term

Douglas, Dr. Denzil, photograph. AP/Wide World Photos. Reproduced by permission. 1953- Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis With his election to Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis on July 3, 1995, Dr. Denzil Llewellyn Douglas, leader of the country's Labour Party (SKNLP), ended a twelve-year period in which the People's Action Movement (PAM) dominated the country's assembl…

8 minute read

Frances O'Roark Dowell Biography - Personal, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Work in Progress, Sidelights

Female. Education: Wake Forest University, B.A.; University of Massachusetts, M.F.A. Worked variously as paralegal, college English instructor, and arts administrator. Former editor and copublisher of Dream/Girl (arts magazine for girls). Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Juvenile Novel, 2001, and William Allen White Award, 2003, both for Dovey Coe. Dovey Coe, Atheneum (New York, NY), 2000. Where I&#…

5 minute read

Ann Downer (1960-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Work in Progress, Sidelights

Born 1960, in Arlington, VA; Education: Smith College, A. B., 1982. Politics: Democrat. Religion: Protestant. Hobbies and other interests: Cooking, travel, movies, collage, animation, natural history. Agent—John Silbersack, Trident Media Group, 41 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10010. Fiction writer and editor. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, editor, 1996—. New York Public Libr…

4 minute read

Julie Downing (1956-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1956, in Denver, CO; Education: Rhode Island School of Design, B.F.A., 1978. Agent—Jane Feder, 305 East 24th St., New York, NY 10010. Writer and illustrator. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, exhibit technician, 1978; Macy's Department Store, New York, NY, graphic designer, 1978-79; Denver Museum of Natural History, Denver, CO, graphic designer, 1979-81; freelance illustr…

12 minute read

Dale Sara Dowse Biography

Nationality: Australian. Born: Sara Fitch in Chicago, Illinois (immigrated to Australia in 1958, became naturalized citizen in 1972), 1938. Education: Attended University of California, Los Angeles, 1956-58; University of Sidney, B.A. 1968; attended Australian National University, 1968. Career: Field editor, Thomas Nelson, Canberra, Australia, 1970-72; tutor in professional writing, Canberra Colle…

7 minute read

Debra Doyle (1952–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

(Nicholas Adams, a joint pseudonym, Victor Appleton, a joint pseudonym, Martin Delrio, a joint pseudonym, Douglas Morgan, a joint pseudonym, Robyn Tallis, a joint pseudonym) Born 1952, in FL; Education: University of Pennsylvania, Ph.D. (English literature); also educated in Florida, Texas, and Arkansas. Agent—Valerie Smith, 1746 Rte, 44-55, Modena, NY 12548. Writer. Computer-assisted Lear…

12 minute read

Malachy Doyle (1954–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1954, in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland; Education: Bolton Institute of Technology, B.A. (with honors), 1975; Shenstone New College, postgraduate certificate in education, 1976. Hobbies and other interests: Walking, cycling, reading, theater and music. Agent—Celia Catchpole Ltd., 56 Gilpin Ave., East Sheen, London SW14 8QY, England. Rowntree Mackintosh, York, England, …

16 minute read

Roddy Doyle Biography

Nationality: Irish. Born: Dublin, 1958. Career: Since 1980 teacher of English and geography, Greendale Community School, Kilbarrack, Dublin. Award: Booker prize, 1993, for Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha. Roddy Doyle's novels have fundamentally changed the possibilities open to any fictional representation of Ireland in the late twentieth century and early twenty first. Where Joyce had demolished the…

6 minute read

Brian Doyle (1935-) Biography - Personal, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Adaptations, Sidelights

Born 1935, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Education: Carleton College, B.A., 1957; graduate study at Ottawa University. Author, playwright, scriptwriter, educator. Worked variously as a journalist, waiter, taxi driver, driving instructor, office worker, bricklayer, and jazz singer. Teacher at Glebe Collegiate Institute (high school) and Ottawa Technical High School, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; head of E…

22 minute read

Margaret Drabble Biography - Margaret Drabble comments:

Nationality: British. Born: Sheffield, Yorkshire, 1939; sister of A.S. Byatt, Education: Mount School, York; Newnham College, Cambridge, B.A. (honours) 1960. Career: Deputy chair, 1978-80, and chair, 1980-82, National Book League. Awards: Rhys Memorial prize, 1966; James Tait Black Memorial prize, 1968; American Academy E.M. Forster award, 1973. D. Litt: University of Sheffield, 1976; University o…

9 minute read

Robert Drewe Biography

Nationality: Australian. Born: Melbourne, Victoria, 1943. Education: Hale School, Perth, Western Australia, 1952-60. Career: Cadet journalist, Perth West Australian, 1961-64; journalist, 1964-65, and head of Sydney bureau, 1965-70, the Age, Melbourne; daily columnist, 1970-73, features editor, 1971-72, and literary editor, 1972-74, the Australian, Sydney; special writer, 1975-76, and contributing …

6 minute read

Melanie Drewery (1970–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1970, in Palmerston North, New Zealand; Education: Nelson Polytechnic, certificate (craft and design), 1989; New Zealand Institute of Business, diploma (freelance journalism), 1998. Hobbies and other interests: Riding horses, reading books, listening to music, painting. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Reed Books, 39 Rawene Rd..Birkenhead, Auckland, New Zealand. Writer, illustrator, and artist. …

2 minute read

C(harles) J(onathan) Driver Biography - C.J. Driver comments:

Nationality: British. Born: Cape Town, South Africa, 1939. Education: St. Andrews College, Grahamstown; University of Cape Town, B.A. (honors) in English, B.Ed., and S.T.D. 1962; Trinity College, Oxford, M. Phil. 1967. Career: President, National Union of South African Students, 1963-64; detained in 1964 under the "90 Day Law;" South African passport revoked, 1966. Assistant teacher,…

5 minute read

Kathleen Benner Duble (1958-) Biography - Personal, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Work in Progress, Sidelights

Born 1958, in Fayetteville, NC; Education: Miami University (Oxford, OH), B.A. (international business and creative writing). Hobbies and other interests: Violin. Writer. Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Notable Honor Book designation, International Reading Association, 2002, for Bridging Beyond. Bridging Beyond, Philomel (New York, NY), 2002. Pilot Mom, illustrated by A…

4 minute read

Marilyn Duckworth Biography - Marilyn Duckworth comments:

Nationality: New Zealander. Born: Marilyn Adcock, Auckland, New Zealand, 1935. Education: Victoria University of Wellington, 1953, 1956. Career: Full-time writer. Has held positions in public relations, nurse aiding, factory work and library work. Awards: Scholarship in Letters, 1961, 1972, 1993; New Zealand award for achievement, 1963; Katherine Mansfield fellowship, 1980; New Zealand Book award,…

7 minute read

Alan Duff Biography - Alan Duff comments:

Nationality: New Zealander. Born: Rotorua, 1950. Education: Two years of high school. Awards: PEN Best First Book award, 1991; best screenplay, for What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?, New Zealand Film Awards, 1999. Agent: William Morris Agency, 1350 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10019, U.S.A. Main influence: Contemporary American, Faulkner, Selby Jr., Doctorow, Gurganis, Styron. * * …

7 minute read

Carol Ann Duffy (1955–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Adaptations, Sidelights

Born 1955, in Glasgow, Scotland; partner of Jackie Kay (a poet), beginning 1999; Education: University of Liverpool, B.A. (with honors), 1977. Office—Department of English, Manchester Metropolitan University, Goffrey Manton Building, Rosamond St. W., off Oxford Rd., Manchester M15 6LL, England. Agent—Penny Tackaberry, Tessa Sayle Agency, 11 Jubilee Pl., London SW3 3TE, England. Write…

9 minute read

Maureen (Patricia) Duffy Biography

Nationality: British. Born: Worthing, Sussex, 1933. Education: Trowbridge High School for Girls, Wiltshire; Sarah Bonnell High School for Girls; King's College, London, 1953-56, B.A. (honours) in English 1956. Career: Schoolteacher for five years. Co-founder, Writers Action Group, 1972; joint chair, 1977-78, and president, 1985-89, Writers Guild of Great Britain; chair, Greater London Arts…

5 minute read

Kate Duke (1956-) Biography - Awards, Honors, Sidelights - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Writings

Born 1956, in New York, NY; Education: Attended Duke University, 1975-76. Hobbies and other interests: Gardening, reading, cooking, visiting museums, mural-painting. Offıce—c/o Author Mail, Penguin Putnam, 345 Hudson St., New York, NY 10014. Children's book writer and illustrator, 1983—. Also lectures at schools and other educational institutions. Society of Children&#x…

1 minute read

Hazel Dukes Biography

1932– Civil rights activist, government official An important civil rights activist of the 1960s and 1970s and a campaigner for over 30 years, Hazel Nell Dukes is a leading figure in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and served as the organization's national president between 1989 and 1992. Dukes built a career in various social service agencies, …

5 minute read

Joyce Dunbar (1944–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Adaptations, Work in Progress, Sidelights

Born 1944, in Scunthorpe, England; Education: Goldsmiths College, London, B.A. (English; with honors). Hobbies and other interests: Gardening, walking, visual arts, theatre, art, building, traveling. Agent—Hilary Delamere, The Agency, 24 Pottery Lane, Holland Park, London W11 4LZ, England. Writer. Worked variously as a nanny, waitress, barmaid, and market-stall salesperson. English teacher,…

15 minute read

Fiona Dunbar (1961–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1961, in Hemel Hempstead, England; Education: Attended Buckinghamshire College of Further Education. Politics: "Liberal Democrat." Religion: "Spiritual, not religious." Hobbies and other interests: "My work IS my hobby! But I also love cooking and anything creative." Agent—Hilary Delamere, The Agency, 24 Pottery Lane, London W11 4LZ, England. …

4 minute read

Huey Dunbar: 1974—: Singer Biography - Entered Salsa Scene With Dlg, Launched Solo Career

Huey Dunbar: 1974—: Singer. Hailed by many critics as the future of salsa music, Huey Dunbar helped to revitalize the genre and introduce it to a new generation during his stint as the lead singer of Dark Latin Groove (DLG). The group's three albums gained DLG a large following not only among salsa music fans but listeners across the musical spectrum as well. After winning two Bi…

1 minute read

Elaine Dundy Biography

Nationality: American. Born: New York City, 1927. Education: Sweet Briar College, Virginia. Career: Actress; worked for the BBC, London; directed the Winter Workshop of the Berkshire Festival; also journalist. Agent: Andrew Hewson, John Johnson Ltd., 45-47 Clerkenwell Green, London EC1R 0HT, England. In The Dud Avocado and The Old Man and Me, Elaine Dundy employs first-person, reflective narrators…

5 minute read

Montrew (Goetz) Dunham (1919–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Writings

Born 1919, in Indianapolis, IN; Education: Butler University, A.B., 1941; Northwestern University, M.A., 1966. Religion: Congregationalist. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division, 1230 Avenue of the Americans, New York, NY 10020. U.S. Employment Service, Chicago, IL, senior interviewer and vocational counselor, 1941–46. Oliver Wendell Holmes, J…

1 minute read

Clare B. Dunkle (1964-) Biography - Personal, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Adaptations, Work in Progress, Sidelights

Born 1964, in Fort Worth, TX; Education: Trinity University (San Antonio, TX), B.A. (Russian), 1985; Indiana University, M.L.S., 1989. Politics: Independent. Religion: Catholic. Clare B. Dunkle Writer, educator, and librarian. Trinity University, San Antonio, TX, associate professor and librarian, 1990-99; freelance author, 2001—. Ramstein Officers Spouses Club. Mythopoeic Fantasy Aw…

6 minute read

Ericka Dunlap Biography

1982(?)– Pageant winner Dunlap, Ericka, photograph. Erik S. Lesser/Bloomberg News/Landov. In September of 2003 Ericka Dunlap became the sixth African-American woman to be crowned Miss America. An Orlando, Florida, college student who was also the first black Miss Florida in the history of the contest, Dunlap spent her year as Miss America 2004 on an exhaustive schedule of public appearances…

6 minute read

Nell (Mary) Dunn Biography

Nationality: British. Born: London in 1936. Education: A convent school. Awards: Rhys Memorial prize, 1964; Susan Smith Blackburn prize, for play, 1981; Evening Standard award, for play, 1982; Society of West End Theatre award, 1982. Agent: Curtis Brown, 162-168 Regent Street, London W1R 5TB. Nell Dunn begins with vignettes or fragmental episodes to build a picture of British urban life. Much like…

4 minute read

John Gregory Dunne Biography

Nationality: American. Born: Hartford, Connecticut, 1932. Education: Princeton University, New Jersey, A.B. in English 1954. Married Joan Didion, q.v., in 1964; one daughter. Career: Staff writer, Time, New York, 5 years; columnist ("Points West"), with Didion, Saturday Evening Post, Philadelphia, 1967-69; regular contributor, Esquire and the New York Review of Books. Agent: Janklow …

7 minute read

(Lady) Dorothy Dunnett Biography

Nationality: British. Born: Dorothy Halliday in Dunfermline, Fife, 1923. Education: James Gillespie's High School, Edinburgh; Edinburgh College of Art; Glasgow School of Art. Career: Assistant press officer, Scottish government departments, Edinburgh, 1940-46; member of the Board of Trade Scottish Economics Department, Glasgow, 1946-55; non-executive director, Scottish Television plc, Glasg…

6 minute read

Olivier (Jean-Paul Dominique) Dunrea (1953-) Biography - Personal, Career, Member, Writings, Sidelights

Surname is pronounced "DUN-ray"; born 1953, in Virginia Beach, VA; Education: Attended University of Delaware, 1971-73; West Chester State College (now University), B.A., 1975; Washington State University, M.A. (theater and music), 1976. Hobbies and other interests: Reading, running, gardening, camping, and building stone dams. Illustrator and author. Worked variously as a waiter, se…

12 minute read

Georgia Mae Dunston Biography - Began to Look for Answers, Studied Human Biology, Discovered Genetics, Returned to the Black Community

1944— Professor of microbiology, research scientist Born into a working class African-American family in the segregated southern United States, Georgia Dunston had little reason to believe that her life and career would be very different from those of her parents or grandparents. She was motivated to pursue higher learning, however, by the inspiration of encouraging teachers at every level …

13 minute read

Philippe Dupasquier (1955-) Biography - Personal, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1955, in Neuchâtel, Switzerland; Education: Attended art school in Lyon, France, 1976-79. Author and illustrator of books for children. Freelance illustrator in London, England, beginning in 1979. Smarties Prize, and Carnegie Medal commendation, British Library Association, both 1989, and Oak Tree Award, Nottinghamshire Libraries, 1990, all for Bill's New Frock, written by Anne Fi…

12 minute read

Keith DuQuette (1960-) Biography - Personal, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1960, in Freeport, NY; Education: Attended Art Students League, 1979, and Yale University at Norfolk, VA, 1981; State University of New York at Purchase, B.F.A. (painting), 1982. Author and illustrator. Library preservationist at the Brooklyn Museum Library. Happy as a Tapir named a Junior Library Guild selection, 1992; International Reading Association Children's Choice designation, 1…

3 minute read

Suzanne Duranceau (1952–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Illustrator, Sidelights

Born 1952, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Education: St-Laurent CEGEP, graduated (French literature), 1972; Montreal School of Fine Arts, graduated 1975; studied animation at National Film Board of Canada. Office—Suzanne Duranceau Illustratrice, Inc., 250 Bord de l'eau, East Longueuil, Quebec J4H 1A2, Canada. Freelance illustrator. Quebec Illustrators Association (co-founder and presi…

3 minute read

Alan Durant (1958–) Biography - Personal, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Adaptations, Work in Progress, Sidelights

Born 1958, in Sutton, Surrey, England; Education: Keble College, Oxford, B.A. (English language and literature). Politics: "Leftish." Religion: "Christian." Writer. Former publicist for Spastics Society (charity; now SCOPE); Walker Books, London, England, senior copywriter, beginning 1986; full-time writer. National Reading Campaign reading champion; lecturer and worksh…

15 minute read

Aimée (Aimée Duvall Thurlo a Joint Pseudonym Aimée Martel a Joint Pseudonym) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1970. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Forge, 175 5th Ave., New York, NY 10010. Full-time writer of romance and mystery novels. (With husband, David Thurlo) WILLA Award, 2003, for contemporary fiction; RITA Career Achievement Award, 2003. Ariel's Desire, Harlequin (New York, NY), 1987. The Right Combination, Harlequin (New York, NY), 1988. Expiration Date, Harlequin (New York, NY), 1989.…

13 minute read

David (Aimée Duvall Thurlo a Joint Pseudonym Aimée Martel a Joint Pseudonym) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

Education: Attended University of New Mexico. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Forge, 175 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10010. Writer. Teacher of mathematics, science, and technology. (With wife, Aimée Thurlo) WILLA Award, 2003, for contemporary fiction; RITA Career Achievement Award, 2003. Ariel's Desire, Harlequin (New York, NY), 1987. The Right Combination, Harlequin (New York, NY), 1988…

8 minute read

Aaron P. Dworkin Biography - Embraced Music as an Early Escape, Love of Classical Led to Launch of Sphinx

1970— Violinist, organization leader Dworkin, Aaron, photograph. AP/Wide World Photos. From the first time he heard a violin, Aaron P. Dworkin has been in love with classical music. He attended a prestigious music academy and earned a master's degree in music. He swooned over orchestral performances and gave several of his own. Yet, there was something wrong. He told the New Y…

10 minute read

Wilma Dykeman Biography

Nationality: American. Born: Asheville, North Carolina, 1920. Education: Biltmore Junior College, Asheville, North Carolina; Northwestern University, Chicago, B.A. Career: Writer and lecturer. Awards: Guggenheim fellowship, 1955; Thomas Wolfe Memorial Trophy, 1955; Hillman award, 1958; special Waukegan Club award (Chicago Friends of American Writers), 1963; National Endowment for the Humanities se…

5 minute read

Sheila E.: 1957—: Percussionist, Singer, Composer, Producer Biography - Divided By Race And Class, Stepped Up To The Mike, Learned To Take It Easy With E-train

Sheila E.: 1957—: Percussionist, singer, composer, producer. Percussionist, singer, composer, and producer Sheila E. broke out onto the pop music scene in the 1980s, fueled by her singing debut with pop superstar Prince on his "Erotic City" single. She immediately proved she had the mettle to make it on her own, though, and had two hit albums, Sheila E. in The Glamorous Li…

2 minute read

Nick Earls (1963-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Adaptations, Sidelights

Born 1963, in Newtownards, Northern Ireland; immigrated to Australia, 1972; Education: University of Queensland, M.B.B.S. (second-class honours), 1986. Hobbies and other interests: Tennis, travel. Agent—Curtis Brown, P.O. Box 19, Paddington, New South Wales 2021, Australia. Physician working in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 1987-94; freelance writer, 1988—. Medical Observer, Quee…

7 minute read

Earthquake Biography - Joined Air Force, Relocated to Los Angeles, Encouraged by Steve Harvey, Selected works

1963– Comedian The comedian Earthquake, in conversation with Kevin Aldridge of the Cincinnati Enquirer, described his style of comedy as "up front, straight to the point, and without limitations." One of the quickest wits in the business, Earthquake rarely prepared material in advance. He could be outrageous at times, but shock was never the point of his routines. Instead, he …

7 minute read

Anthony Eaton (1971–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Work in Progress, Sidelights

Born 1971, in New Guinea; Education: University of Western Australia, doctoral studies (creative writing). Hobbies and other interests: Water activities, traveling, skiing, cycling, hiking, fishing, reading, writing. Agent—c/o Author Mail, University of Queensland Press, P.O. Box 6042, St. Lucia, Queensland 4067, Australia. Educator and writer. Worked variously as a security guard, car par…

4 minute read

Kim Echlin (1955–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1955, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Education: McGill University, B.A. (English; with honors), 1976; York University, M.A. (English), 1977, Ph.D. (English), 1982; studied French at Sorbonne, University of Paris, 1979. Agent—c/o Westwood Creative Artists, 94 Harbord St., Toronto, Ontario M5S 1G6, Canada. Writer, journalist, and educator. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, producer of The…

4 minute read

Clyde Carlyle Edgerton Biography

Nationality: American. Born: Durham, North Carolina, 1944. Education: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.A. 1966, M.A.T., 1972, Ph.D. 1977. Military Service: U.S. Air Force, 1967-71, piloted reconnaissance and forward air control missions in Southeast Asia during Vietnam War; received Distinguished Flying Cross. Career: English teacher, Southern High School, Durham, North Carolina, 197…

7 minute read

Christopher Edley Biography

1928-2003 Organization president, advocate, lawyer "All of my adult life has been heavily laden with the things and the kind of work that would advance Black life," recounted Christopher Edley, former president and chief executive officer of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), in Jet magazine. Under Edley's tutelage, the UNCF became one of the most widely recognized charitab…

6 minute read

Christopher F. Edley Jr. Biography - Selected writings

1953— Law school dean Christopher F. Edley Jr., a longtime Harvard law professor and public-policy expert on affirmative action, became dean of the renowned Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California at Berkeley in 2004. His appointment made him the first African American to head a major U.S. law school. "I chose him because he is absolutely outstanding," a Black…

7 minute read

Michelle Edwards (1955-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1955, in Bridgeport, CT; Education: State University of New York at Albany, B.A. (summa cum laude), 1976; University of Iowa, M.A., 1981, M.F.A., 1983; advanced study at Bazalel Academy, Jerusalem. Religion: Jewish. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Harcourt St., Suite 1900, San Diego, CA 92101. Illustrator and author of children's books. Freelance artist in New York, Iowa, and Minnesota, …

5 minute read

Wallace ?)– Edwards (1957() Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Working in Progress, Sidelights

Born 1957, in Canada. Education: Ontario College of Art (now Ontario College of Art and Design), degree (illustration), 1980. Agent—c/o Don Sedgwick, 1603 Italy Cross Rd., Petite Riviere, Nova Scotia B0J 2P0, Canada. Illustrator, author, and artist. Commercial artist, beginning mid-1980s. Exhibitions: Paintings exhibited throughout Canada and the United States. Governor General's Awa…

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Herman Edwards Biography

1954— Football coach Edwards, Herman, photograph. Chris Trotman/Getty Images. New York Jets coach Herman Edwards became only the fifth African-American leader of a National Football League (NFL) franchise when he took over as head coach in 2001. Known for his calm coaching style, Edwards has been hailed as a new generation of coaches who bring a leadership ethos culled from the busin…

6 minute read