Biographies: Grace Napolitano: 1936—: Politician to Richard (Wayne) Peck (1934-) Biography - Career
R(asipuram) K(rishnaswamy) Narayan Biography
Nationality: Indian. Born: Madras, 1906. Education: Collegiate High School, Mysore; Maharaja's College, Mysore, graduated 1930. Career: Teacher, then journalist, early 1930s; owner, Indian Thought Publications, Mysore. Awards: Sahitya Academy award, 1961; Padma Bhushan, India, 1964; National Association of Independent Schools award (U.S.A.), 1965; English-Speaking Union award, 1975; Royal S…
Joe Nash Biography - Trained Self to Dance on Broadway, Became Prominent Historian of Dance, Left Archive in Peril
1919–2005 Dance historian Joe Nash's obsession with dance spanned half a century. A self-taught dancer, he whirled his way across stages on Broadway and in London. He danced with, collaborated with, or coached some of the most important African-American dancers and choreographers in the world. However, Nash's most significant contribution to dance was created off-stage, in the…
Amy Nathan Biography - Personal, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights
Born 1967; Education: Radcliffe College, B.A. (cum laude), 1967; Harvard Graduate School of Education, M.A.T., 1968; Teachers College, Columbia University, M.A., 1980. Educator, actress, editor, and writer. Teacher in adult education programs in Boston, MA, area, 1968-71; actress in regional theater and Off-Broadway productions, 1971-80; teacher of creative drama at arts programs in Boston, Washin…
Phyllis Reynolds (P. R. Tedesco) Naylor (1933-) - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Adaptations, Sidelights, Autobiography Feature
Born 1933, in Anderson, IN; Education: Joliet Junior College, diploma, 1953; American University, B.A., 1963. Politics: Independent. Religion: Unitarian Universalist. Hobbies and other interests: Music, drama, hiking, swimming. Agent—John Hawkins and Associates, Inc., 71 West 23rd St., Suite 1600, New York, NY 10010. Elementary school teacher in Hazel Crest, IL, 1956; Montgomery County Educ…
Gloria Naylor Biography - Gloria Naylor comments:
Nationality: American. Born: New York City, 1950. Education: Brooklyn College, New York, B.A. in English 1981; Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, 1981-83, M.A. in Afro-American Studies 1983. Career: Missionary for the Jehovah's Witnesses, New York, North Carolina, and Florida, 1968-75; telephone operator, New York City hotels, 1975-81. Writer-in-residence, Cummington Community of the …
(Nimrod) Njabulo S(imakahle) Ndebele Biography
Nationality: South African. Born: Ladysmith, Natal Province, South Africa, 1913. Education: St. Peter's High School, Resettenvelle, Johannesburg, 1929-31; Amanzimtoti (Adams') College, 1933-34, earned teaching certificate; University of Witwatersrand, A.B. in Zulu language and political science 1948. Career: Assistant teacher, Khaiso Secondary School, 1935-45; assistant teacher, Mad…
Haydain Neale Biography - Not Money Born into Music, Infused Music with Dose of Intellectualism, Topped Canadian Record Charts
1970— Singer Haydain Neale, charismatic lead singer of Canadian super group jacksoul, has made a name for himself with intelligent lyrics served up with a deep side of soul. His songs exalt love, kindness, and joy—decidedly un-cool traits in an urban music market defined by guns, gangstas, and gratuitous sex. Neale is unrepentant. "This is the world that I bought into and this…
Kadir Nelson Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Work in Progress, Sidelights
Born in Washington, DC; Education: Graduated with honors from Pratt Institute. Office—6977 Navajo Rd., Suite 124, San Diego, CA 92119. Artist and illustrator. Has painted commissioned works for corporations and publishers, including Dreamworks, Nike, Coca-Cola, and Major League Baseball. Conceptual artist for motion pictures, including Amistad and Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron. Exhibitio…
Jill Nelson Biography - Experienced Privilege as a Child, Developed Reputation as a Thoughtful Journalist, Found Controversy at Washington Post
1952— Journalist, novelist Many journalists dream of working for the Washington Post, one of the nation's largest and most prestigious newspapers. For Jill Nelson, that dream came true—and gradually turned into a nightmare. A freelance reporter for national magazines prior to becoming a staff writer with the Washington Post, Nelson found her style incompatible with the corpora…
Marilyn (Marilyn Nelson Waniek) Nelson (1946-) Biography - Personal, Career, Awards, Honors, Sidelights - Addresses, Member, Writings
Office—University of Connecticut, Department of English, Box U-4025, 215 Glenbrook Rd., Storrs, CT 06269-1025. Society for the Study of Multi-Ethnic Literature of the United States, Society for Values in Higher Education, Associated Writing Programs, Phi Kappa Phi. Marilyn Nelson (As Marilyn Nelson Waniek) For the Body, Louisiana State University Press (Baton Rouge, LA), 1978. (As M…
Pablo Neruda: 1904-1973: Poet Biography
Known as one of the twentieth century's most important Latin American poets, Pablo Neruda was "the most frequently discussed Latin American poet of his time. Today, years after his death, his eventful life still evokes great interest, and his works arouse great admiration," according to The Scribner Writers Series. He was also an avid participant in the political arena. He is …
Larry Nestor (1940-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings
Born 1940, in Chicago, IL; Hobbies and other interests: Golf, pocket billiards, following the St. Louis Cardinals "with passion." Office—P.O. Box 226, River Grove, IL 60171. Writer, songwriter, and musician, 1962—. American Federation of Musicians, American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. Bicentennial Folk Song Award, Loyola University, 1976, for "…
Robert Neubecker Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Work in Progress, Sidelights
Born 0027;s name Ruth; Education: Parsons School of Design, B.F.A., 1975. Hobbies and other interests: Skiing, surfing, reading. Agent—Tammy Shannon, Shannon Associates, 333 W. 57th St., Ste. 801, New York, NY 10019. Artist and illustrator. Push Pin Press, former researcher; New York Times, New York, NY, contributing editorial illustrator, 1974–84; Inxs, Inc. (artists' politi…
Jay Neugeboren Biography
Nationality: American. Born: New York City, 1938. Education: Columbia University, New York, B.A. 1959 (Phi Beta Kappa); Indiana University, Bloomington, M.A. 1963. Career: Junior executive trainee, General Motors Corporation, Indianapolis, 1960; English teacher, Saddle River Country Day School, New Jersey, 1961-62; teacher, New York City public high and junior high schools, 1963-66; preceptor in E…
Arthel Neville Biography - Juggled TV Career with College, Became Celebrity by Interviewing Celebrities, Forged Path for Black TV Personalities
1962- Television broadcaster Though her last name is revered in musical circles, Arthel Neville was on her own when she decided to pursue a career in television. "Believe me, the name Neville didn't do anything for me in the field of journalism," she told New Orleans Magazine. Nonetheless, Neville has gone from a station intern for a local Texas channel to a nationally famous …
Nanette Newman (1934–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights
Born 1934, in Northampton, Northamptonshire, England; Education: Attended Sternhold College, London; studied at Italia Conti Stage School and Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. Hobbies and other interests: Needlepoint. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Chatto & Linnit, 123-A Kings Rd., London SW3 4PL, England. Actress and author. Actress in films, including The L-shaped Room, 1962; The Wrong Arm of the L…
Lester C. Newman Biography - Raised With High Expectations, Remained In Academia, Left Alma Mater, Guided Mvsu Into The Twenty-first Century - Selected writings
1952— College president, political scientist Newman, Lester C., photograph. AP/Wide World Photos Reproduced by permission. Dr. Lester C. Newman, president of Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) in Itta Bena, Mississippi, has become nationally-known for his achievements in improving the funding and administration of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Newman t…
John Nez Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Writings, Work in Progress, Sidelights
Education: B.A. (English); studied illustration at Parsons School of Design. Agent—Herman Agency, 350 Central Park West, New York, NY 10025. Artist and illustrator. My Cherry Tree, Korean Montessori Press, 2003. Nancy Lindenauer and Edythea Ginis Selman, School and Me, Holt, Rinehart and Winston (New York, NY), 1979. David E. Fisher, The Creation of Atoms and Stars, Holt, Rinehart and Wins…
Grace Nichols (1950-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Adaptations, Sidelights
Born 1950, in Georgetown, Guyana; moved to England, 1977; companion of John Agard (a poet); Education: University of Guyana, diploma (communications). Agent—Anthea MortonSaner, Curtis Brown, 162-68 Regent St., London W1R STB, England. Poet, author of fiction, and editor. Teacher, 1969–70; Georgetown Chronicle, Georgetown, Guyana, reporter, 1972–73; Government Information Servi…
Joe Nickell (1944–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights
Born 1944, in Lexington, KY; Education: University of Kentucky, B.A., 1967, M.A., 1982, Ph.D., 1987. Hobbies and other interests: Collecting antique writing materials. Office—Center for Inquiry, P.O. Box 703, Amherst, NY 14226. Paranormal investigator, author, and educator. Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA), Washington, DC, volunteer worker in Carroll County, GA, 1967–68; prof…
Nerissa Nields (1967–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Writings, Work in Progress, Sidelights
Born 1967, in New York, NY; divorced); Education: Yale University, B.A. Agent—Ginger Knowlton, Curtis Brown Ltd., 10 Astor Place, New York, NY 10003. Singer, songwriter, and writer. The Nields (musical group), performer beginning 1991; musician performing with sister, Katryna Nields, beginning 1998; writing workshop leader. Vocalist on recordings (with The Nields), including 66 Hoxsey Stre…
Per Nilsson (1954-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights
Born 1954, in Malmö, Sweden; Education: Trained as a mathematics and music teacher. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Rabén & Sjögren, Box 2052, 102 12 Stockholm, Sweden. Novelist. Taught math and music in Swedish secondary school; freelance writer, 1999—. Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis, 1997, and Silver Kiss award (Holland), 1999, both for Heart's Delight; Astrid L…
Robert N.C. Nix Jr. Biography
1928-2003 Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chief Justice Nix, Robert N.C., Jr., photograph. AP/Wide World Photos Reproduced by permission As the first African American to head any state supreme court, Robert N.C. Nix Jr. holds an historic place in the United States legal system. He was born into a family of high achievers. His grandfather was born a slave but earned a doctorate in mathematics an…
Takayo Noda (1961–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights
Born 1961, in Tokyo, Japan. Agent—Christopher Little Literary Agency, 10 Eel Brook Studios, 125 Moore Park Rd., London SW6 4PS, England. Artist and writer. Exhibitions: Work has been exhibited at galleries and museums, including at Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum, Rutgers, NJ. Society of American Graphic Artists, National Association of Women Artists. Gail Cohen Edelman Memorial Award, S…
Christine (Christine Noestlinger) Nöstlinger (1936–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights
Born 1936, in Vienna, Austria; Education: Attended art school in Vienna, Austria. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Random House, Andersen Press, 20 Vauxhall Bridge Rd., London SW1V 25A, England. Journalist for a Vienna daily newspaper; writer. Friedrich-Bödecker prize, 1972, for contribution to children's literature; Buxtehuder Bulle award, 1973, for Fly Away Home; German youth literatu…
Han Nolan (1956-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights
Born 1956, in Birmingham, AL; Education: University of North Carolina at Greensboro, B.S., 1979; Ohio State University, M.S. (dance), 1981. Hobbies and other interests: Reading, hiking, running, swimming, "I love to move and be outside." Agent—c/o Author Mail, Harcourt Brace & Company, 525 B St., Suite 1900, San Diego, CA 92101-4495. Writer. Teacher of dance, 1981-84. …
Dennis Nolan (1945–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights
Born 1945, in San Francisco, CA; (second marriage) one daughter. Education: Attended College of San Mateo, 1963–65; San Jose State College (now University), B.A., 1967, M.A., 1968. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Hyperion Books, 114 5th Ave., New York, NY 10011. Author and illustrator. San Mateo County Library, Belmont, CA, graphic artist, 1970–77; Canada Junior College, Redwood City, …
Julia Noonan (1946-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights
Born 1946, in Naugatuck, CT; Education: Pratt Institute, graduate in graphic arts (with honors), 1968. Hobbies and other interests: Victorian crafts and furnishings. Agent—Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency, 548 Broadway, #5E, New York, NY 10012. Illustrator and author. Children's Book Showcase Award, Children's Book Council, 1974, for The Throme of the Errill of Sherill; best bo…
Carl Norac (1960–) Biography - Personal, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights
Born 1960, in Mons, Belgium; children: Else. Children's book author and poet. Has also worked as a French teacher, television scriptwriter, and journalist. Hans Christian Andersen ambassador, 2005. Literary prize, c. 1978; recipient of several other awards. Le lion fanfaron, Casterman, 1991. Romulus et Rémi, une fable à l'opèra, Pastel (Paris, France), 1994. Dima…
Lawrence Norfolk Biography
Nationality: British. Born: 1963. Lawrence Norfolk's formidable reputation rests upon a small collection of works. The success of Lemprière's Dictionary, an erudite, intricately designed, and densely textured novel, derives chiefly from its pastiche of literary forms and sensibilities even more varied than its range of geographical and temporal settings (from England to India, f…
Beth Norling (1969-) Biography - Career, Sidelights - Personal, Addresses, Honors Awards, Writings, Work in Progress
Born 1969, in New South Wales, Australia; Education: Attended City Art Institute; Meadowbank TAFE College, associate diploma in fine art, 1988; apprenticed to painter Tom Tompson, 1989. Religion: Buddhist. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Allen & Unwin, P.O. Box 8500, St. Leonards, New South Wales 1590, Australia. Rexel Derwent Drawing Prize, 1986; grants from the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Trust an…
Howard A Norman Biography
Nationality: American. Born: Toledo, Ohio, 1949. Education: Graduated form Western Michigan University; graduate study at the Folklore Institute of Indiana University. Career: Worked variously as a translator for the World Society for the Protection of Animals, as a member of a fire crew in Manitoba, Canada, and as a field naturalist; instructor in Native American literature, University of Marylan…
Christina Norman Biography
1960(?)— Television executive Norman, Christina, photograph. Scott Gries/Getty Images. Christina Norman was named president of the cable channel VH1 in early 2004, a career achievement that made her one of the highest-ranking African Americans in the television industry. For two years prior to that, Norman had been instrumental in helping revive ratings at VH1, which had been struggl…
Nawal M. Nour Biography - Family Emphasized Education for Girls, Reached Out to African Immigrant Patients, Urged Cultural Sensitivity about FGC
1965(?)– Physician Dr. Nawal M. Nour established the first, and to date only, hospital center in the United States devoted to the medical needs of African women who have undergone female genital cutting (FGC), also known as female circumcision. Nour helped to develop a surgical procedure that can help alleviate some of the negative effects of FGC, such as urinary tract infections, painful m…
Matt Novak (1962–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights
Born 1962, in Trenton, NJ; Education: Attended Kutztown State University, 1980–81; attended School of Visual Arts (New York, NY). Hobbies and other interests: Reading, hiking, biking, gardening, cooking. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Roaring Brook Press, 143 West St., New Milford, CT 06776. Author and illustrator of children's books, and educator. Pegasus Players, Sheppton, PA, pupp…
Mudrooroo Biography
Also writes as Colin Johnson and Mudrooroo Narogin. Nationality: Australian. Born: East Cubbaling, Western Australia, 1938. Education: Brought up in a Roman Catholic orphanage. Career: Lived in India for 6 years, three as a Buddhist monk. Holds the Chair of Aboriginal Studies at Murdech University, Perth. Awards: Wieckhard prize, 1979; Western Australia Literary award, 1989; WA Premier's Bo…
Winston Ntshona Biography - Worked at Ford Plant, Shaped Plays in Workshops, Appeared in Films, Selected works
1941— Actor Ntshona, Winston, photograph. Evening Standard/Getty Images. One of the most widely acclaimed plays internationally during the last decades of the twentieth century was The Island, which began its theatrical life in secret performances held in apartheid-era South Africa in 1973. The play was partly the creation of Winston Ntshona, one of the actors who appeared in it. The…
Lygia Bojunga Nunes (1932-) Biography - Personal, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights
Born 1932, in Pelotas, Brazil; married. Writer, translator, and actor. Member of theatre troupe Theatre Duse and of Repertoire Theatre of Henriette Morineau; cofounder of rural school, TOCA. Presenter of dramatic monologues at libraries, universities, and cultural centers. Jabuti award, 1973; Hans Christian Andersen award, 1982, for body of children's books; Moli'ere prize, Theatre C…
Ken ?)- Nutt (1951() Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Illustrator, Sidelights
(Eric Beddows) Born 1951 (one source says 1956), in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada. Education: Attended York University (Toronto, Ontario, Canada), 1970-72. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Laura Geringer Books, 1350 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10019. Illustrator. The Gallery, Stratford, Ontario, Canada, educator and installer and lighter of exhibitions for nine years. Exhibitions: Included in ex…
Robert Nye Biography
Nationality: British. Born: London, 1939. Education: Dormans Land, Surrey; Hamlet Court, Westcliff, Essex; Southend High School, Essex. Career: Since 1961 freelance writer: since 1967 poetry editor, the Scotsman, Edinburgh; since 1971 poetry critic, the Times, London. Writer-in-residence, University of Edinburgh, 1976-77. Awards: Eric Gregory award, 1963; Scottish Arts Council bursary, 1970, 1973,…
Stacy A. Nyikos (1969-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Writings, Sidelights
Born 1969, in Houston, TX; Education: University of Notre Dame, B.A., 1990; Christina Albrecht University (Kiel, Germany), M.A., 1994; University of Virginia, Ph.D., 2000. Politics: Democrat. Religion: Unitarian. Hobbies and other interests: "Running, writing, playing with my children." Office—University of Oklahoma, 4502 E. 41st St., Tulsa, OK 74135-2512. University of Tulsa…
Edna O'brien Biography - Edna O'Brien comments:
Nationality: Irish. Born: Tuamgraney, County Clare, 1932. Education: National School, Scariff; Convent of Mercy, Loughrea; Pharmaceutical College of Dublin: licentiate, Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland. Career: practiced pharmacy briefly; novelist, playwright, and screenwriter. Awards: Kingsley Amis award, 1962; Yorkshire Post award, 1971. Agent: Robert Lescher, 155 East 71st St., New York, NY 10…
Tim O'brien Biography
Nationality: American. Born: William Timothy O'Brien in Austin, Minnesota, 1946. Education: Macalaster College, St. Paul, Minnesota, B.A. in political science (summa cum laude) 1968; Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1970-76. Military Service: Served in the United States Army during the Vietnam war; discharged wounded 1970: Purple Heart. Career: Reporter, Washington Post, 1971-7…
Barbara O'Connor (1950-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Work in Progress, Sidelights
Born 1950, in Greenville, SC; Education: University of South Carolina, B.A., 1972. Agent—Barbara Markowitz, P.O. Box 41709, Los Angeles, CA 90041-0709. Children's book author. Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Best books citation, Family Fun magazine, 1997, summer reading showcase citation, Children's Book Council, and popular paperbacks for young ad…
Jane O'Connor (1947-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Work in Progress, Sidelights
Born 1947, in New York, NY; Education: Smith College, B.A., 1969. Agent—c/o Author Correspondence, Penguin USA, 345 Hudson St., New York, NY 10014. Hastings House Publishers, New York, NY, editorial staff member, beginning 1971; Scholastic, Inc., New York, NY, editor, 1977-83; Random House, New York, NY, 1983-89, became editor-in-chief of children's books; Penguin Putnam, Books for Y…
Joseph O'connor Biography
Nationality: Irish. Born: Dublin, Ireland, 1963. Education: University College, Dublin, B.A. 1986; briefly attended Oxford University. Career: Worked with British Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign, 1980s; journalist, screenwriter, writer for television, and author. Lives in Dublin. Awards: Sunday Tribune First Fiction Award, 1989; New Irish Writer of the Year Award, 1989; Time Out Magazine Writing Pri…
Julia O'faolain Biography - Julia O'Faolain comments:
Nationality: Irish. Born: London, England, 1932; daughter of the writer Sean O'Faolain. Education: The Sacred Heart Convent, Dublin; University College, Dublin, B.A. in French and Italian 1952, M.A. 1953; University of Rome; the Sorbonne, Paris. Career: Translator for Council of Europe, and worked as supply teacher and cook in London, 1955-57; instructor in French, Reed College, Portland, O…
Arturo "Chico" O'Farrill: 1921—2001: Composer, Arranger, Musician Biography - Fused Jazz With Cuban Rhythms, Afro-cuban Jazz Suite, Heart Of A Legend
Arturo "Chico" O'Farrill: 1921—2001: Composer, arranger, musician. One of the architects of Latin jazz, Arturo "Chico" O'Farrill made his mark by fusing jazz with Afro-Cuban music beginning in the late 1940s. Though he would write and arrange music for five more decades, he would receive the most recognition of his career in the last six years o…
Andrew O'hagan Biography
Nationality: Scottish. Born: Glasgow, Scotland, 1969. Career: Former assistant editor, London Review of Books; writes for London Daily Telegraph. Lives in London. With one novel and one nonfiction book to his credit, Andrew O'Hagan has already established himself as a writer of some achievement and considerable promise. O'Hagan had begun to make a name for himself as a journalist and…
Kevin O'Malley (1961-) Biography - Writings, Sidelights - Personal, Addresses, Career
(Patrick Joseph) Born 1961; children: Connor, Noah. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Walker & Company, 104 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10011. Author and illustrator. Joanne Oppenheim, Row, Row, Row Your Boat, Bantam (New York, NY), 1993. John Schindel, What's for Lunch?, Lothrop, Lee & Shepard (New York, NY), 1994. Ellen B. Jackson, Cinder Edna, Lothrop, Lee & Shepard (New Y…
Carmel O'Mara (1965–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Writings, Sidelights
(Carmel O'Mara-Horwitz) Born 1965, in San Diego, CA; Education: Long Beach State University, B.F.A., 1991. Office—2630 Bentley Ave., W. Los Angeles, CA 90064. Freelance artist and illustrator. Los Angeles Unified School District, Los Angeles, CA, part-time teacher; freelance toy designer for Small World Toys, Lakeshore Learning Materials, and Mattel. Volunteer elementary school teac…
Stewart O'nan Biography
Nationality: American. Born: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1961. Education: Boston University, B.S. 1983; Cornell University, M.F.A. 1992. Career: Test engineer, Grummann Aerospace Corporation, Bethpage, New York, 1984-88; writer. Awards: Ascent Fiction prize, 1988; Columbia Fiction award, 1989; Drue Heinz Prize for Literature, 1993; William Faulkner prize, 1993; named one of America's Best You…
Vincent (Gerard) O'sullivan Biography
Nationality: New Zealander. Born: Auckland, 1937. Education: University of Auckland, M.A. 1959; Lincoln College, Oxford, B. Litt. 1962. Career: Editor, Comment, Wellington, 1963-66; lecturer, Victoria University of Wellington; senior lecturer, Waikato University, Hamilton. Literary editor, New Zealand Listener, 1978-79. Awards: Commonwealth scholarship, 1960; Macmillan Brown prize, 1961; Jessie Ma…
Joyce Carol Oates (1938-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Adaptations, Sidelights
(Lauren Kelly, Rosamond Smith) Born 1938, in Lockport, NY; Education: Syracuse University, B.A., 1960; University of Wisconsin, M.A., 1961. Office—Council of the Humanities, 223 185 Nassau St., Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544. Agent—John Hawkins, 71 West 23rd St., New York, NY 10010; (for plays) Peter Franklin, c/o William Morris Agency, 1350 Avenue of the Americas, New Yor…
Joyce Carol Oates Biography
Pseudonym: Rosamond Smith. Nationality: American. Born: Millersport, New York, 1938. Education: Syracuse University, New York, 1956-60, B.A. in English 1960 (Phi Beta Kappa); University of Wisconsin, Madison, M.A. in English 1961; Rice University, Houston, 1961. Career: Instructor, 1961-65, and assistant professor of English, 1965-67, University of Detroit; member of the Department of English, Uni…
Barack Obama Biography - Conflicted Identities in Honolulu, Wrote Letters to Community Organizations, Triumphed in Crowded Primary
1961— Politician, attorney Obama, Barack, photograph. AP/Wide World Photos. Reproduced by permission. Elected to represent Illinois in the United States Senate in November of 2004, Barack Obama had already become the subject of speculation as to his future on the national political stage. The speculation had grown exponentially in August of that year, when Obama delivered an electrif…
Stella Obasanjo Biography
1945–2005 Activist, Nigerian first lady Obasanjo, Stella, photograph. Nic Bothma/EPA/Landov. Stella Obasanjo became famous not only for being the first lady of Nigeria, married to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, but also for being a political activist in her own right, supporting such causes as women's liberation, youth as leaders of tomorrow, and the rehabilitation of a war torn Nigeria. S…
Sheldon Oberman (1949-2004) Biography
OBITUARY NOTICE—See index for SATA sketch: Born May 20, 1949, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; died of cancer March 26, 2004, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Educator, artist, and author. Oberman, a diverse talent whose interests included creating found-art objects and song writing, composed books for all ages but was best known for his award-winning children's books, a number of which …
Adriana C. Ocampo: 1955—: Planetary Geologist Biography - Joined Jpl As A Teenager, Worked On Numerous Planet Mapping Projects, Studied The Chicxulub Impact Crater
Adriana Ocampo, a senior research planetary scientist with the European Space Agency (ESA) in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, is an expert on remote sensing. Geologists and geographers use remote-sens-ing instruments on Earth to study surface terrain. Ocampo used remote-sensing instruments mounted on spacecraft to study Earth and other planets, moons, comets, and asteroids. Ocampo and other planetary …
Barbara Odanaka Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Writings
Born in Long Beach, California; Hobbies and other interests: Skateboarding. Agent—c/o Author Mail, G. P. Putnam, 375 Hudson St., New York, NY 10014. Journalist and author. Los Angeles Times, former sports reporter; freelance writer. Has appeared on television programs, including Good Morning America and The Early Show. International Society of Skateboarding Moms (founder). Skateboard Mom, …
Jacqueline K. Ogburn Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Writings, Sidelights
Education: University of North Carolina, B.A. (English and philosophy); Denver Publishing Institute, degree, 1981. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Houghton Mifflin, 222 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 02116-3764. William Morrow and Company, New York, NY, worked in sales; Lothrop, Lee & Shepard, New York, NY, managing editor, then editor; Blue Cliff Editions (book packager), managing editor, then associate …
Ogletree Charles Jr. Biography - Selected writings
1952— Lawyer Charles Ogletree, Jr., is considered one of the most tenacious and successful trial lawyers in the United States. The Harvard University professor is a passionate advocate of a defendant's right to a fair trial within the American justice system—a Constitutional right one might find it difficult to receive if a member of a minority group. For several years Ogletre…
Ben Okri Biography
Nationality: Nigerian. Born: Minna, 1959. Education: In Nigeria; at University of Essex, Colchester, B.A. in comparative literature. Career: Broadcaster, "Network Africa," BBC World Service, 1984-85; poetry editor, West Africa, 1981-87. Full-time writer and reviewer for the Guardian, the Observer, and the New Statesman, all London. Awards: Commonwealth Prize for Africa, 1987; Paris R…
Ol' Dirty Bastard Biography - Arrived at Welfare Office in Limousine, Arrested Repeatedly, New ODB Albums Cobbled Together, Selected discography
1968-2004 Rapper Ol' Dirty Bastard, photograph. AP/Wide World Photos. After rapper Ol' Dirty Bastard died of cardiac arrest in a Manhattan recording studio in 2004, an autopsy revealed a dangerous mixture of cocaine and prescription drugs in his system. To some who had followed career the career of a man often known as ODB, his death seemed an unsurprising outcome to a notorio…
Wendie C(orbin) Old (1943-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Work in Progress, Sidelights
Born 1943, in Philadelphia, PA; Education: West Virginia University, B.A., 1966; University of Kentucky, M.L.S., 1969. Hobbies and other interests: Drawing, gardening, sewing, travel, grandchildren, photography. Office—Harford County Public Library, 1221-A Brass Mill Rd., Belcamp, MD 21017. Baltimore County Public Library, MD, children's librarian, 1969-77 and 1989—, part-tim…
Jules Older (1940-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights
(Lorraine Avery, a joint pseudonym, Michael McBrier, a joint pseudonym) Born 1940, in Baltimore, MD; Education: University of Vermont, B.A., 1962; New York University, Ph.D., 1970. Hobbies and other interests: Skiing, mountain biking, gardening. Agent—Sally Brady, Hartland Four Corners, VT 05049. Writer and editor-in-chief of Ski Press and Adventure Press. Worked variously as a ski instruc…
Narelle Oliver (1960-) Biography - Personal, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights
Born 1960, in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia; mother an art teacher; Education: B.Ed. (printmaking and design). Hobbies and other interests: Nature, conservation. Author and illustrator. Queensland School for the Deaf, Queensland, Australia, former teacher; University of Southern Queensland, former tutor for faculty of education; University of Melbourne, May Gibbs Children's Literature Tr…
Pam Oliver Biography
1961— Sports reporter and anchorwoman For a young African American woman to succeed in the male-dominated field of sports journalism, it takes an exceptional blend of hard work, expertise, confidence, and tact. Throughout her rapidly advancing career, Pam Oliver has demonstrated all these qualities, earning the respect of athletes and fellow journalists alike. She has met the challenges of …
John J. Oliver Jr. Biography - Took Helm at Family Paper, Pioneered Black Press Web Presence, Elected NNPA President
1945– Newspaper publisher In the world of African-American newspaper publishing, John J. Oliver Jr. is both a figure rooted in tradition and an innovator who has revitalized a vital strand of black community discourse. The publisher and chief executive of Baltimore, Maryland's Afro-American newspapers, Oliver inherited the mantle of family tradition: his great-grandfather, a former s…
Barbara Olsen Biography - Career, Sidelights - Personal, Addresses, Honors Awards, ILLUSTRATOR:, Work in Progress
Born in Oakland, CA; children: a son. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Dial, 1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019. Barbara Olsen Day declared in San Francisco, CA, 1991; first and second prize in graphic arts, Crosby Festival of Arts (Toledo, OH), 2002. Suzanne Williams, The Witch Casts a Spell, Dial Books for Young Readers (New York, NY), 2002. Artwork is represented in books, including In the Spirit …
Tillie Olsen Biography
Nationality: American. Born: Tillie Lerner, Omaha, Nebraska, 1912 or 1913. Education: Some high school. Career: Has worked in the service, warehouse, and food processing industries, and as an office typist. Writer-in-residence, Amherst College, Massachusetts, 1969-70; visiting professor, Stanford University, California, Spring 1971; writer-in-residence, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambr…
Garth St. Omer Biography
Nationality: St. Lucian. Born: Castries, St. Lucia. Education: The University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica, degree in French. Career: Has lived in France, Ghana, and England. Garth St. Omer creates characters filled with an unrest which they themselves cannot define or explain. It is a malaise of the islands which makes them hesitate even before opportunities which are apparently dazzlin…
(Philip) Michael Ondaatje Biography
Nationality: Canadian. Born: Colombo, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), 1943. Education: St. Thomas' College, Colombo; Dulwich College, London; Bishop's University, Lennoxville, Quebec, 1962-64; University of Toronto, B.A. 1965; Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, M.A. 1967. Career: Taught at the University of Western Ontario, London, 1967-71. Since 1971 member of the Department of E…
Ifeoma Onyefulu (1959-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Writings, Sidelights
Name is pronounced "Ee-for-ma Oh-yefulu"; born 1959, in Onitsha, Nigeria; Education: London College of Higher Education, Higher National Diploma, 1984. Religion: Church of England. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Frances Lincoln, 4 Torriano Mews, Torriano Ave., London NW5 2RZ, England. Photographer and author. Caribbean Times, London, England, staff photographer, 1986-87; freelance wri…
Kenneth Oppel (1967-) Biography - Awards, Honors, Sidelights - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Writings, Adaptations, Work in Progress
Born 1967, in Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada; Education: University of Toronto, B.A. (English and cinema), 1989. Hobbies and other interests: Sailing, swimming, travel, airships, movies, theater. Office—HarperCollins Canada, 2 Bloor S. East, 20th Fl., Toronto, Ontario M4W 1A8, Canada. Writer, 1985—; Scholastic Canada, Richmond Hill, Ontario, associate editor, 1989; Quill & Q…
Joseph Ransford Oppong (1953-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings
Born 1953, in Accra, Ghana; a homemaker) Oppong; Ethnicity: "African-American." Education: University of Ghana, B.A., 1982; University of Alberta, M.S., 1986, Ph.D., 1992. Politics: Republican. Religion: Evangelical Christian. Office—Department of Geography, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203-5279. University of Iowa, Iowa City, visiting geology instructor, 1990-91; …
Roscoe Orman Biography - Performed in Summer Theater, Brought Own Son into Cast, Portrayed Stepin Fetchit—and His Creator, Selected works
Orman, Roscoe, photograph. AP/Wide World Photos. 1944– Actor Roscoe Orman is best known to most Americans as Gordon on the Sesame Street children's television program, a fixture of the Public Broadcasting System television network since the mid-1970s. With his shaved head, Orman seemed an almost ageless presence among the truly ageless Muppets in the show's regular cast. The s…
Katherine D. Ortega: 1934—: Former Government Official, Banker, Accountant Biography - Found Strengths In Banking And Accounting, Moved From Accounting To Politics, Became U.s. Secretary Of The Treasury
Katherine D. Ortega: 1934—: Former government official, banker, accountant. In the summer of 1983, Angela Marie Buchanan stepped down from her post as the 38th U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, leaving the post vacant for then president Ronald Reagan to fill. Reagan said to the New York Times that he was looking to appoint someone who "reflects the goals and ideals for which the pe…
David Ortiz Biography
1975— Baseball player Ortiz, David, photograph. AP/Wide World Photos. Lots of baseball players shine early, struggle a bit as they make the transition to the majors, then blossom and lead their teams to World Series glory. Few, however, do it with the charisma and drama of David Ortiz. Known almost as much for his appealing personality as for his lethal bat, Ortiz played a key role i…
Na'Taki Osborne Biography - Raised Army of Volunteers, Trained Children to Monitor Water Quality, Attended Leadership Seminars
1974— Environmental scientist, activist Atlanta-based activist Na'Taki Osborne is a one-woman phenomenon, a dynamo who devotes both career and spare time to improving the environment in the neighborhoods where she lives and works. Osborne has been active in organizing children's environmental groups, created green space out of industrial wastelands, studied environmental scien…
Micol Ostow (1976–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Writings, Sidelights
Born 1976. Ethnicity: "Puerto Rican and Jewish." Education: College graduate. Hobbies and other interests: Reading, running, watching inappropriate quantities of bad TV. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Simon Pulse/Simon & Schuster, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020. Writer and editor. Simon & Schuster, New York, NY, editor in trade nonfiction, then young-adu…
Clarence Otis Jr. Biography
1956– Restaurant executive Otis, Clarence Jr., photograph. AP/Wide World Photos. In the 2000s African Americans remained rare as chief executives of "Fortune 500" companies—the 500 largest companies in the United States. When Clarence Otis Jr. was named CEO of Darden Restaurants in December of 2004, he was one of just seven. He reached his high-level post not only throu…
Maurice Michael Otunga Biography - Selected writings
1923–2003 Cleric Otunga, Maurice Michael, photograph. © Grzegorz Galazka/Corbis. Maurice Michael Otunga was the first Roman Catholic cleric from Kenya to attain the status of cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church. One of East Africa's most respected religious leaders, Otunga belonged to just a select number of men who would meet in a closed-door session known as the conclave u…
(John) Gareth Owen (1936–2002) Biography - Personal, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights
Born 1936, in Ainsdale, Lancashire, England; died May 4, 2002, in Cardiff, Wales; Education: Attended Wakefield and Goldsmiths' College, London. Politics: "Left of center." Hobbies and other interests: Reading, soccer, music, theatre, film. Writer, actor, and director. Worked variously as a factory worker, gardener, bookseller, and laborer; secondary school teacher in Ilford, …
Terrell Owens Biography - Played Multiple Sports in High School and College, Courted Controversy, Set New Records
1973- Professional football player Owens, Terrell, photograph. Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images. Known as one of the National Football League's top wide receivers, Terrell Owens has made his mark in football history, not just for his talent as an athlete, but for his controversial behavior both on and off the field that gained him the label of football's most misunderstood star. Born …
Helen Owens Biography
1937— Principal, educational consultant, community activist Although Helen Owens spent her first 12 years of life as the child of sharecroppers in Tennessee, she has since become an educated, caring, and committed professional well known for her devoted community service. The long list of honors and awards Owens has received indicate not only her achievements, but also her passion for impro…
Helen Oxenbury (1938-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights
Born 1938, in Suffolk, England; Education: Attended Ipswich School of Art and Central School of Arts and Crafts, London. Agent—Elaine Greene, Ltd., 37 Goldhawk Rd., London W12 8QQ, England. Writer and illustrator of children's books. Stage designer in Colchester, England, 1960, and Tel-Aviv, Israel, 1961; television designer in London, England, 1963. Kate Greenaway Award, British Lib…
Cynthia Ozick Biography
Nationality: American. Born: New York City, 1928. Education: New York University, B.A. (cum laude) in English 1949 (Phi Beta Kappa); Ohio State University, Columbus, M.A. 1951. Career: Instructor in English, New York University, 1964-65; Distinguished Artist-in-Residence, City University, New York, 1982; Phi Beta Kappa Orator, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1985. Lives in New Rochel…
Eddie Alberto Pérez: 1957—: Political Leader Biography
Eddie Alberto Pérez: 1957—: Political leader. In his first run for political office in 2001, Eddie Pérez made history as the first Hispanic–American to become mayor of a New England capital. A native of Puerto Rico, longtime Hartford, Connecticut resident Pérez also broke new political ground by forging a bipartisan coalition of community activists and corpor…
Edward Packard (1931-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Adaptations, Sidelights
Born 1931, in Huntington, NY; Education: Princeton University, B.A., 1953; Columbia Law School, LL.B., 1959. Agent—Amy Berkower, Writers House, 21 West 26th St., New York, NY 10010. Lawyer, 1959-78. Writer, 1975—. Military service: U.S. Navy, 1953-56. Jeremiah Ludington Award, 1986; Best Science Books of the Year selections, National Public Radio and Scientific American, both for Im…
Daniel Packer Biography - Learned Value of Hard Work Early, Rose Through Nuclear Ranks as Single Father
1947– Executive Packer, Daniel, photograph. Oscar Sosa/Bloomberg News/Landov. From a humble beginning in segregated Alabama, Daniel Packer rose to become the first African American to manage a nuclear power plant. Packer went on to serve as CEO of Entergy New Orleans and landed on Black Enterprise's 2005 list of most powerful African-American executives. During his ascent up the corp…
Robin Page (1943-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights
Born 1943; Female; three Education: Attended North Carolina State University. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Houghton Mifflin, 222 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 02116-3764. Graphic designer; illustrator and author. Caldecott Honor book designation (with Steve Jenkins), 2004, for What Do You Do with a Tail like This? (With husband, Steve Jenkins) Animals in Flight, Houghton Mifflin (Boston, MA), 2001. (W…
Grace Paley Biography
Nationality: American. Born: Grace Goodside in New York City, 1922. Education: Evander Childs High School, New York; Hunter College, New York, 1938-39. Career: Has taught at Columbia University, New York, and Syracuse University, New York. Since 1966 has taught at Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, New York, and since 1983 at City College, New York. New York State Author, 1986-88. Awards: Guggenh…
Charles Palliser Biography - Charles Palliser comments:
Nationality: American and Irish. Born: the United States in December 1947. Education: Exeter College, Oxford, 1967-70, B.A. (honors) in English 1970; Wolfson College, Oxford, 1971-75, B. Litt. 1975. Career: Lecturer, Huddersfield Polytechnic, Yorkshire, 1972-74, and University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, 1974-90; visiting teacher in creative writing, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, 198…
Judd Palmer (1972-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights
Born 1972, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Education: Earned degree from Trinity College, University of Toronto. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Bayeux Arts, Inc., 119 Stratton Crescent S.W., Calgary, Alberta T3H 1T7, Canada; fax: 403-249-2477. Puppeteer, illustrator, and writer. Puppeteer for Disney, YTV, and Whoopi's Littleburg; founding member of the Old Trout Puppet Workshop theater company,…
Janie Lynn Panagopoulos Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Work in Progress, Sidelights
children: Christopher, Nicholas. Office—P.O. Box 704, Roscoe, IL 61073-0704. Author; freelance writer for periodicals, 1978-92; teacher of theater arts and play-writing, 1986-90; editor of a health care magazine, 1988; mentor to writing students. Project Lakewell, Inc., Girl Scouts. National Historical Grant, 1989-91; Michigan Author Award, Michigan Library Association and Michigan Center …
Christopher ?)- Paolini (1983() Biography - Personal, Addresses, Writings, Adaptations, Work in Progress, Sidelights
Born 1983. Education: Home schooled. Agent—Writer's House, 21 West 26th St., New York, NY 10010. Eragon (first volume in "Inheritance" trilogy), Paolini International (Livingston, MT), 2002, revised edition, Alfred A. Knopf (New York, NY), 2003. Eragon was adapted as an audiobook read by Gerald Doyle, Books on Tape, 2003; film rights to the novel were purchased by Fox 2…
Américo Paredes: 1915-1999: Folklorist, Educator Biography - Heard Songs And Folktales From Workers, Investigated Background And Development Of Corrido, Honored In Corrido By Folk Songstress
Américo Paredes: 1915-1999: Folklorist, educator. Surely the only scholar to have had a corrido—a Mexican-American border ballad —composed in his honor, Américo Paredes was a pioneer in the academic study of the Mexican-American experience in the United States and of the culture of the U.S.-Mexico border. His 1958 study With His Pistol in His Hand: A Border Ballad …
Janie Jaehyun Park Biography - Personal, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights
Born 1987; Sheridan College, Oakville, Ontario, Canada, diploma in interpretive illustration, 2000. Illustrator, artist, and teacher of art in Korea and Canada. Clients include the Toronto Star, Toronto Globe & Mail, Chirp magazine, Rogers Media, the Owl Group, Korea-Froebel Co., Ltd., Lobster Press, and Ground-wood Books. Exhibitions: Sheridan College Illustration Graduate Show, Toronto, O…
Toni Trent Parker (1947–2005) Biography
OBITUARY NOTICE—See index for SATA sketch: Born July 10, 1947, in Winston-Salem, NC; died of a brain tumor, September 15, 2005, in Stamford, CT. Publisher and author. Parker was a leading advocate promoting multicultural literature; she published guides to African-American books and wrote a number of picture books that feature African-American characters. A student of history, she graduated…
Nicole Ari Parker Biography - Despite Parents Broadway-Bound, Won Kudos for Entertainment-Exec Role
1970— Actor Parker, Nicole Ari, photograph. AP/Wide World Photos. Stage and screen veteran Nicole Ari Parker is best known for her role as the icy attorney Teri on the acclaimed Showtime original series Soul Food. She and her real-life partner, fellow actor and Soul Food alumnus Boris Kodjoe, landed their own sitcom, Second Time Around, which made its debut on the UPN in the fall of …
Barbara Keevil Parker (1938-) Biography - Career, Sidelights - Personal, Addresses, Member, Honors Awards, Writings
Born 1938, in Tacoma, WA; married Duane F. Barbara Keevil Parker Parker (a minister), June 11, 1960; Education: University of Puget Sound, B.A., 1960; Kansas State University, M.S., 1973, Ph.D., 1976. Hobbies and other interests: Travel, toy trains, collecting German nutcrackers. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Lerner Publications, 241 First Ave. North, Minneapolis, MN 55401. Society of Child…
Rosa Parks Biography - Became Civil Rights Hero Overnight, Quietly Refused to Move, Actions Inspired Bus Boycott
1913–2005 Activist, writer According to the old saying, "some people are born to greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them." Greatness was certainly thrust upon Rosa Parks, but the modest former seamstress found herself equal to the challenge. Known as "the mother of the Civil Rights Movement," Parks almost single-handedly set in motion a veritable revo…
Rosa Parks (1913–2005) Biography
(Rosa Louise Lee Parks) OBITUARY NOTICE—See index for SATA sketch: Born February 4, 1913, in Tuskegee, AL; died October 24, 2005, in Detroit, MI. Activist and author. Widely hailed as the mother of the African-American anti-segregation movement, Parks became famous in 1955 when her refusal to give up her bus seat to a white man in Montgomery, Alabama, sparked the bus strike and the civil ri…
Tim(othy) (Harold) Parks Biography
Nationality: English. Born: Manchester, England, 1954. Education: Cambridge University, B.A. 1977; Harvard University, M.A. 1979. Career: Writer, WGBH-Radio, Boston, 1978-79; telephone salesperson in London, England, 1979-81; language teacher in Verona, Italy, 1981; freelance translator in Verona, 1985; lector at University of Verona. Awards: Betty Trask award and Somerset Maugham award, both Soci…
Russ Parr Biography
196(?)— Radio disc jockey Parr, Russ, photograph. Lenny Furman/Getty Images. Russ Parr became a leading radio talk show host in the twenty-first century, with the Russ Parr Morning Show syndicated in 45 cities and reaching an estimated 3.2 million listeners. "Parr's outspokenness, mixed with his banter with the many black listeners who call," noted Krissah Willia…
Benjamin W(Aring) Partridge Jr. (1915-2005) Biography - OBITUARY NOTICE—
See index for SATA sketch: Born March 9, 1915, in Huntington, WV; died of pneumonia April 12, 2005, in Takoma Park, MD. Naval officer, lawyer, and author. Partridge was a veteran and former attorney for the U.S. Navy who later became an active environmentalist. Graduating from the University of Florida in 1937, he was a deputy commissioner in Florida before enlisting in the U.S. Navy at the beginn…
Dorothy Hinshaw Patent (1940–) - Personal, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights, Autobiography FeatureDorothy Hinshaw Patent
Born 1940, in Rochester, MN; Education: Stanford University, B.A., 1962; University of California, Berkeley, M.A., 1965, Ph.D., 1968; also studied at Friday Harbor Laboratories, University of Washington, 1965–67. Writer. Sinai Hospital, Detroit, MI, postdoctoral fellow, 1968–69; Stazione Zoologica, Naples, Italy, postdoctoral researcher, 1970–71; University of Montana, Missoul…
David Patneaude (1944-) Biography - Personal, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Work in Progress, Sidelights
Born 1944, in St. Paul, Minnesota; Education: University of Washington, B.A., 1971. Politics: "Independent." Religion: Presbyterian. Hobbies and other interests: Reading, running, outdoor activities, coaching kids' sports, watching movies and plays. Farmers New World Life Insurance Co., Mercer Island, WA, former supervisor; writer. Member, Pacific Northwest Writers Conference;…
Mathew St. Patrick Biography - Grew Up in the City, Escaped Harsh Realities, Sought the Actor's Life
1969— Actor St. Patrick, Mathew, photograph. Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images. When Mathew St. Patrick was a boy, he escaped from the rough streets of his neighborhood by watching film after film in the all-night theater near his home. Watching the actors on the screen, he often thought, "I can do that." Although all too often he felt that no one else had confidence in his abi…
Brian Patten (1946-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights
Born 1946 in Liverpool, England; Education: Attended secondary school in Sefton Park, Liverpool, England. Office—c/o UK Touring, The Croft, Old Church Rd., Worcester WR13 6EZ, England. Agent—c/o Puffin Books, 27 Wrights Lane, London W8 5TZ, England. Writer. Worked variously as a journalist, gardener, and newspaper vendor. University of California, San Diego, Regents Lecturer, 1985. C…
Nancy Ruth Patterson (1944-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Adaptations, Work in Progress, Sidelights
Born 1944, in St. Louis, MO; present surname, Clemens) Patterson. Education: University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill, B.A., 1965, M.A.T., 1971; attended Hollins University. Religion: Episcopalian. Nancy Ruth Patterson Agent—Jennifer Unter, RLR Associates, 7 West 51st St., New York, NY 10019. Writer. Roanoke City Schools, Roanoke, VA, teacher, 1966-99 (retired). Active in the …
Mary Jane Patterson Biography
1840-1894 Educator Born into slavery, Mary Jane Patterson is thought to be the first black woman to graduate from an established four-year college in the United States. She spent her career creating new educational opportunities for nineteenth-century black Americans. Born in 1840 in Raleigh, North Carolina, Mary Jane Patterson was the daughter of Henry Irving Patterson and Emmeline Eliza (Taylor)…
James Patterson (1947-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Adaptations, Work in Progress, Sidelights
(James B. Patterson) Born 1947, in Newburgh, NY; Education: Manhattan College, B.A. (English; summa cum laude), 1969; Vanderbilt University, M.A. (English; summa cum laude), 1970. Hobbies and other interests: Golf. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Little, Brown and Company, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020. Writer. J. Walter Thompson Co., New York, NY, junior copywriter, beginning 1971…
Edith Pattou Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights
Hobbies and other interests: Attending plays and films, reading, long walks, travel. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Harcourt International, 6277 Sea Harbor Dr., Orlando, FL 32887. Writer. Best Book for Young Adults citation, American Library Association, 2003, for East. Hero's Song, Harcourt (San Diego, CA), 1991. Fire Arrow (sequel to Hero's Song), Harcourt (San Diego, CA), 1998. Mrs…
Nancy Patz (Blaustein) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights
Born in Baltimore, MD. Education: Attended Goucher College; Stanford University, graduated. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Dutton Publicity, 345 Hudson St., New York, NY 10014. Children's book author, illustrator, and educator. Lecturer on children's literature; instructor in writing and illustrating children's books at Johns Hopkins University School of Continuing Studies, Pa…
Ann Whitford Paul (1941–) Biography - Personal, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Work in Progress, Sidelights
Born 1941, in Evanston, IL; Education: University of Wisconsin—Madison, B.A., 1963; Columbia University School of Social Work, M.S.W. (with honors), 1965. Hobbies and other interests: Quilting, knitting, cooking, reading, walking. Writer; worked as a social worker in medical hospitals and adoption agencies, 1965–70. Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Southern…
Gary Paulsen (1939-) Biography - Personal, Awards, Honors, Writings, Sidelights - Addresses, Career, Adaptations, Work in Progress
Agent—Author Mail, c/o Random House Children's Publicity, 1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036. Writer, beginning 1960s. Has also worked as a teacher, field engineer, editor, soldier, actor, director, farmer, rancher, truck driver, trapper, professional archer, migrant farm worker, singer, and sailor. Military service: U.S. Army, 1959-62; attained rank of sergeant. The Spitball Gang, El…
Gudrun Pausewang (1928–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Adaptations, Sidelights
Born 1928, in Wichstadtl, Bohemia, Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic); father a diplomat; immigrated to West Germany, c. 1948; Education: Trained as a teacher in Germany. Hobbies and other interests: Travel, gardening. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Ravensburger Buchverlag Otto Maier GmbH, Postbox 1860, 88188 Ravensburg, Germany. Author, 1959–. Also worked as a teacher in South America, 195…
Michelle Paver Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Adaptations, Work in Progress, Sidelights
Born in Malawi; immigrated to England at age three. Education: Oxford University, graduated. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Katherine Tegen Books, 1350 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019. Writer. Formerly worked as an attorney specializing in patent litigation. Gold Award, Parents' Choice List, 2005, for Wolf Brother. Without Charity (fiction), Corgi (London, England), 2000. A Place …
John Payton Biography
1946— Lawyer Attorney John Payton has defended some of the most important civil rights cases in the United States in recent years. He has also served on several professional boards and committees. According to a profile from Wilmer, Cutler, Pickering, Hale and Dorr, the prestigious Washington, D.C., law firm where Payton is a partner, he "has been recognized as one of the premier lit…
Susan Pearson (1946–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Adaptations, Sidelights
Born 1946, in Boston, MA; Education: St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN, B.A., 1968. Office—c/o Chronicle Books, 86 2nd St., 6th Fl., San Francisco, CA 94105. Author and editor. Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA), Columbia, SC, volunteer worker, 1968–69; Quaker Oats Co., Minneapolis, MN, sales representative, 1969–71; Viking Press, New York, NY, assistant editor, 1971 …
Tracey Campbell Pearson (1956-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights
Born 1956, in Norwalk, CT; Education: Attended Syracuse University, 1975; Parsons School of Design, professional certificate, 1978. E-mail—info@traceycampbellpearson.com office—P.O. Box 1114, Jericho Center, VT 05465. Agent—c/o Giroux, 19 Union Square West, New York, NY 10003. Children's book author and illustrator. American Greetings, Cleveland, OH, illustrator of gree…
Richard (Wayne) Peck (1934-) Biography - Career, Awards, Honors, Adaptations, Sidelights - Personal, Addresses, Member, Writings
Born 1934, in Decantur, IL; Education: Attended University of Exeter, 1955-56; DePauw University, B.A., 1956; Southern Illinois University, M.A., 1959; further graduate study at Washington University, 1960-61. Politics: Republican. Religion: Methodist. Office—c/o Penguin Putnam, Inc., 345 Hudson St., New York, NY 10014. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Sheldon Fogelman, 155 East 72nd St., New …