Female. Hobbies and other interests: Organic gardening. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Simon & Schuster, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020. Writer. Auntie Em's (vegetarian restaurant), former cook; freelance editor for Boys' Life. Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Author's Guild, Authors League. Best Children's Books of the…
Born 1928, in Vermont; Education: Rollins College, A.B., 1953; Cornell University, graduate coursework in law. Religion: Protestant. Hobbies and other interests: Playing ragtime piano, sports. Writer and farmer. Worked variously as a lumberjack, in a paper mill, as a hog butcher, and as a New York City advertising executive. Director of Rollins College Writers Conference, 1978-82; owner of publish…
1957— Actor, director Van Peebles, Mario, photograph. AP/Wide World Photos Reproduced by permission. Mario Van Peebles has established himself as one of a prolific new generation of black filmmakers. After the handsome actor appeared in films and on television for more than five years, he was asked to direct a small-budget movie about drug abuse in the New York City ghetto. The resul…
(Bob Boudelang) Born 1950, in Baltimore, MD. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Capstone Press, 151 Good Counsel Dr., P.O. Box 669, Mankato, MN 56002. Writer, journalist, and marketing consultant. ESP Ventures (marketing consultant firm), Morristown, NJ, president. Jesse H. Neal Business Journalism Competition award, 1989; American Society of Business Press Editors award, 1995. Maryland ("Land …
Born 1944, in Casablanca, Morocco. Agent—c/o Gallimard, 5 rue Sebastian-Bolton, Paris 75007, France. Novelist and author of nonfiction. Worked variously as a woodcutter, Paris cab driver, and illustrator; high school teacher in Nice, France. Le petite marchande de prose named one of the best novels of the year, Le Figaro (Parisian newspaper), 1989-90, and won the Prix Inter, 1990. Le grand …
(Frederick Ralph Cornelius Penner) Born November 6, 1946, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; son of Edward William (an accountant) and Lydia (a homemaker; maiden name, Winter) Penner; married Odette Graziella Heyn (a homemaker, dancer, and choreographer), August 23, 1981; children: four. Education: University of Winnipeg, B.A. (economics and psychology), 1970. Hobbies and other interests: Raising chil…
Born 1957, in Redruth, Cornwall, England; Education: University of Hull, B.A. (with honors), 1979; College of Ripon and York St. John, postgraduate certificate in education, 1980. Politics: "Probably 'Center Left.'" Religion: Methodist. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Heinemann Library, 100 North La Salle, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60602. Teacher and department head at seco…
Eva "Evita" Perón: 1919–1952: Political leader. Of all the figures of twentieth-century history, few have inspired as many passionate debates as the life and myth of Eva Perón. From her origins as an illegitimate girl in the Argentine provinces, she pursued a career as a film and radio actress in Buenos Aires before meeting, and subsequently marrying, the man…
(Lana Perez) Female. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Roaring Brook Press, 2 Old New Milford Rd., Brookfield, CT 06804. Writer. Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, and Best Book for Young Adults nomination, both 2005, both for Unexpected Development. Unexpected Development, Roaring Brook Press (Brook-field, CT), 2004. Bright Lights for Bella ("Star Sisterz" series), Mirrorstone (Renton, …
1953(?)– Mayor, businessman Perkins, James Jr., photograph. AP/Wide World Photos. James Perkins, Jr., made history in 2000 when he became mayor of Selma, Alabama, marking a turning point in the city's long history of racism. Selma made international news in 1965 when African Americans began a march that would have taken them from Selma to the steps of the capitol in Montgomery, Alaba…
1968— Actor Perrineau, Harold, photograph. Frederick M Brown/Getty Images. Whether playing a character from Shakespeare or a contemporary felon, actor Harold Perrineau, Jr., has demonstrated a wide-ranging talent over the course of his two-decade career. With recent prominent roles in the Matrix films as well as the 2005 TV series Lost, Perrineau has achieved recognition as one of th…
Born 1956, in Cincinnati, OH; Education: Carlow College, B.A., 1979; University of Pittsburgh, M.Ed., 1980. Agent—Barry Goldblatt, Barry Goldblatt Literary Agency, 320 Seventh Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11215. Boyce Middle School, Upper St. Clair, PA, instructor in computer laboratory, 1998—. Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Author of the month, Embracing the Child…
Born 1992; Dominican University, M.A. (library and information science), 1999. Hobbies and other interests: English and Western horseback riding. Agent—Elizabeth Child, Buttonweed Press, 7625 110th St. East, Northfield, MN 55057. Author, artist, educator, and librarian. (Self-illustrated) A Gift for Sadia, Buttonweed Press (Northfield, MN), 2005. Contributor, with Henry E. Fritz, to Encycl…
1942(?)– Archeologist, educator When many think of slavery, most think of the South. But slavery existed in the North as well. Dr. Warren Perry, an archeologist and associate professor at Central Connecticut State University, has been digging in various burial grounds throughout New York and Connecticut, uncovering information that may change people's perceptions about slavery. His p…
Born 1933, in Nevada City, CA; Ethnicity: "English." Education: University of California—Berkeley, A.B., 1955; San Francisco State College (now University), M.A., 1960; University of Colorado, Ed.D., 1980. Politics: Democrat. Religion: Methodist. Hobbies and other interests: Hiking in the mountains, acting in community theater, attending concerts, playing bridge, reading to gr…
Nationality: British. Born: London, 1938. Education: Privately educated. Career: Has had a variety of jobs, including airline stewardess, 1962-64; assistant buyer, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1964-66; property underwriter, Muldoon and Adams, Los Angeles. Since 1972 full-time writer. Lived in California, 1967-72. Agent: Meg Davis, MBA Literary Agency Ltd., 45 Fitzroy Street, London W1P 5HR, England. (200…
1969— Playwright, actor, screenwriter, producer Perry, Tyler, photograph. Francis Specker/UPI/Landov. When the film Diary of a Mad Black Woman shot past the romantic comedy Hitch to become the top-grossing film in the United States in mid-March of 2005, Hollywood forecasters didn't know what had hit them. The film, a careening blend of self-help, romance, Christianity, and out…
1927— Geophysicist Person, Waverly, photograph. AP/Wide World Photos Reproduced by permission. As director of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC) in Golden, Colorado, Waverly Person is often one of the first experts called upon for information and advice when natural disasters strike. A veteran seismologist and geophysicist, Person has wo…
Pseudonym: Johanna Kingsley. Nationality: American. Born: New York City, 1939. Education: Barnard College, New York, B.A. 1960; New York University, M.A. 1966. Career: Lived in London, 1960-64. (1972) The only general theme (or background) of my books is America. Mother Is a Country is a direct parody of certain American dreams (the acquisition of power and the desire to become a commodity); A Ho…
Juan Perón: 1895-1974: Former Argentine president. Juan Domingo Perón was indisputably the most influential politician modern Argentina has known. Though he served as president of the beleaguered Latin American country for less than a decade—with a brief reelection a year before his death—his influence has colored Argentine politics for more than half a century. His…
Fiber artist; former author and illustrator; former concert pianist. Cincinnati Zoo, Cincinnati, OH, worked in public relations. Exhibitions: Cool Jazz Cats was selected for the Crochet Guild of America's "Rhythm of Crochet" traveling exhibit, 2003-04. Southwest Ohio Crochet Guild. People's Choice Award for Best-in-Show, Crochet Guild of America's Chain Link Conf…
Nationality: British. Born: Fabianki, Poland, 1916; emigrated to England in 1940. Education: Dlugosz School, Wloclawek; University of Warsaw; University of St. Andrews, Scotland, M.A. in English and German 1944; King's College, London, Ph.D. 1947. Career: Lecturer, 1950-64, reader, 1964-72, and professor of Polish language and literature, 1972-79, School of Slavonic and East European Studie…
Born 1951, in Minneapolis, MN; Education: University of Minnesota, B.A., 1974. Hobbies and other interests: Hiking, canoeing, swimming, reading, gardening, travel. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Harcourt International, 6277 Sea Harbor Dr., Orlando, FL 32887. Writer. The Loft, instructor in children's-book writing; speaker at schools and conferences. Children's Literature Network, Geo…
(Andrew Peters) Born 1965, in Hildesheim, Germany; Education: Attended Corpus Christi College, Oxford, 1984. Politics: "Liberal." Religion: "Open minded." Writer, broadcaster, and musician. Creative writing tutor, 1987–; author, 1992–. Presenter and writer for broadcast media, including British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Radio 4, BBC-1 poetry televisio…
1925— Jazz pianist Peterson, Oscar, photograph. AP/Wide World Photos. Canadian-born Oscar Peterson is generally acclaimed as one of the most spectacularly talented musicians ever to play the piano in the jazz genre. In the words of Scott Yanow of the All Music Guide, Peterson "plays 100 notes where other pianists might use ten"—and, Yanow contended in response to…
(Jeanne Whitehouse) Born 1939, in Walla Walla, WA; Education: Washington State University, B.A., 1961; Columbia University, M.A., 1965; doctoral study at University of New Mexico, beginning 1976. Elementary school teacher in Pullman, WA, 1961-62; U.S. Peace Corps, Washington, DC, volunteer worker in Sabah, Malaysia, 1962-64; University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, educational director for teacher&#…
Nationality: American. Born: St. Louis, Missouri, 1923. Education: The University of Illinois, Urbana, 1940-41. Career: Has worked in steelmills, and as a real estate salesman, truck driver, and sales correspondent. Since 1960 freelance writer and lecturer. Taught at the Indiana University Writers Conference, Bloomington, 1964-65, 1970, 1974; McGuffey Visiting Lecturer, Ohio University, Athens, 19…
(Kathleen Herald, K. M. Peyton, a joint pseudonym) Born 1929, in Birmingham, England; Education: Attended Kingston School of Art; Manchester Art School, A.T.D. Hobbies and other interests: Riding, walking in the mountains, airplanes, sailing, horseback riding, music. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Oxford University Press, Great Clarendon St., Oxford OX2 6DP, England. Art teacher at high school in N…
Born 0027;s name, Kathrin; Education: Attended art school in Berne, Switzerland. Agent—c/o author correspondence, North-South Books, 1123 Broadway, Suite 800, New York, NY 10010. Freelance writer and illustrator of children's books, 1986—. Has worked at advertising agencies in Berne and Zurich, Switzerland; worked as a graphic designer, and has also done photography, sculpting…
Born 1948, in St. Louis, MO; Education: Knox College, B.A., 1970; University of Georgia, M.A., 1974. Agent—George Nicholson, Sterling Lord Literistic, 65 Bleecker St., New York, NY 10012. Patricia Curtis Pfitsch Freelance writer, 1970—. Carl Sandburg Community College, Galesburg, IL, instructor and librarian, 1978-80; Institute of Children's Literature, instructor, 199…
(William R. Dantz, Chris Jordan, W. R. Philbrick) Born 1951, in Boston, MA; Hobbies and other interests: Fishing. Writer, 1987—. Formerly worked as a longshoreman and boat builder. Best Novel award, Private Eye Writers of America, 1993, for Brothers and Sinners; Judy Lopez Memorial award honor book, 1994, Nebraska Golden Sower Award, Wyoming Soaring Eagle Award, 1997, California Young Reade…
Born 1949, in Volga, SD; Education: Northern State University, B.D., 1971, M.S., 1975; University of Alaska, Anchorage, Administration certification. Politics: Democrat. Religion: Christian. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Chelsea House Publishers, 1974 Sproul Rd., Ste. 400, Broomall, PA 19008. Gettysburg Public Schools, Gettysburg, PA, teacher, 1973–75, 1975–78; Division of Elementar…
Nationality: British. Born: St. Kitts, West Indies, 1958; brought to England in 1958. Education: Schools in Leeds to 1974, and in Birmingham, 1974-76; Queen's College, Oxford, 1976-79, B.A. (honors) 1979. Career: Founding chairman, 1978, and artistic director, 1979, Observer Festival of Theatre, Oxford; resident dramatist, The Factory Arts Centre, London 1981-82; writer-in-residence, Mysore…
Nationality: American. Born: Buckhannon, West Virginia, 1952. Education: West Virginia University, Morgantown, B.A. 1974; University of Iowa, Iowa City, M.F.A. 1978. Career: Teaching fellow, M.F.A. Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, 1977-78; lecturer, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California, 1978-79; fellow, Fine Arts Work Center, Provincetown, Massachusetts, 1979-80; assistant professo…
Nationality: Guyanese-British. Born: Guyana (immigrated to Britain in 1956). Education: Attended school in Islington; studied for a degree, and later for a postgraduate degree, at other schools. Career: Worked variously in factories, garages, and at a post office; established a hostel for homeless black youths, Notting Hill, London; community activist, Manchester and Birmingham, England; journalis…
Pablo Picasso: 1881-1973: Artist. Pablo Picasso was without a doubt the most talked-about visual artist of the twentieth century. For some art lovers, he was the greatest of them all; for others, he was an over-sexed self-promoting novelty act who produced too much art too quickly. But even casual museumgoers could not only recognize Picasso's work but also place it within one of the w…
Born 1954, in Connellsville, PA; Education: University of Pennsylvania, B.A., 1976. Agent—Craig R. Tenney, Harold Ober Associates, 425 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10017. Authors Guild, Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Alanna: The First Adventure, Atheneum (New York, NY), 1983. In the Hand of the Goddess, Atheneum (New York, NY), 1984. Tamora Pierce The Woman Who Rides …
Nationality: American. Born: Detroit, Michigan, 1936. Education: The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (Hopwood award, 1956, 1957), A.B. 1957; Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, M.A. 1958. Career: Instructor, Indiana University, Gary, 1960-62; poet-in-residence, University of Kansas, Lawrence, 1971; visiting lecturer, Thomas Jefferson College, Grand Valley State Colleges, Allendale, Mich…
(Sue Denim, David Murray Pilkey, Jr.) First name is pronounced "Dave"; born 1966, in Cleveland, OH; Education: Kent State University, A.A. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Blue Sky Press/Scholastic, Inc., 557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012. Freelance writer and illustrator, 1986–. Caldecott Honor Book, American Library Association, 1997, for The Paperboy. World War Won, Landmark Ed…
194?– Television journalist Sandra Pinckney's childhood years living in many countries and learning about different people and cultures left her with an open and genuine interest in other people and unfamiliar places. This interest, along with a warm and enthusiastic nature, led her into a public career in broadcast journalism. Like her childhood, her career has taken her to unique a…
1943– Painter and mixed media artist, curator, and educator Known for the wide variety of techniques and materials used in her artwork, Howardena Pindell has created abstract paintings, collages, "video drawings," and "process art." Her work explores texture, color, structures, and the process of making art; it is often political, addressing the issues of racism,…
1946— Photographer New York-based photographer John Pinderhughes has combined careers in advertising and fine art photography. His commercial work includes advertising campaigns for major corporations while his fine art has developed quite separately. Pinderhughes is known for expansive landscapes and pictures that explore the relationship between people and their environment, traditions, a…
Born 1961, in Boston, MA; married Brian Pinkney Andrea R. Davis (an editor and writer), October 12, 1991; Education: Philadelphia College of Art, B.F.A., 1983; School of Visual Arts, M.F.A., 1990. Hobbies and other interests: Tae kwon do, playing drums. Society of Illustrators, Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Graphic Arts Guild. Max Found Two Sticks, Simon &…
Born 1939, in Philadelphia, PA; Education: Attended Philadelphia Museum College of Art (now University of the Arts), 1957-59. Hobbies and other interests: "I am a lover of music, with a large music collection. I enjoy all kinds of music: jazz, classical, rock, and pop." Society of Illustrators. The Tales of Uncle Remus (also see below), Dial (New York, NY), 1987. More Tales of Uncle …
Born 1963, in Washington, DC; Education: Syracuse University, B.A. (journalism), 1985. Hobbies and other interests: Singing, dance. Office—Houghton Mifflin, 215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10003. Editor and children's book writer. Editor at various magazines; editor at Scholastic, Inc., New York, NY; Essence Magazine, New York, NY, senior editor; Simon & Schuster Books for…
(D. Manus Pinkwater, Manus Pinkwater) Author and illustrator of children's books, and radio commentator. All Things Considered, National Public Radio (NPR), regular commentator, 1987—. Host of Chinwag Theater and book reviewer on Weekend Edition Saturday, NPR. American Federation of Theater and Radio Artists. The Terrible Roar, Knopf (New York, NY), 1970. (Self-illustrated) Bear�…
1941— Medical doctor, administrator, pathologist From a very young age, Vivian Pinn felt herself to be a person with a mission. Having seen pain and illness in the family members she loved, she developed a drive to ease suffering and to cure disease. At the age of four, she announced her intention to become a doctor, an almost unheard-of ambition for a black girl in the United States of the…
1957— Columnist The syndicated commentaries of Miami Herald columnist Leonard Pitts are among the most widely read in the United States, appearing in about 150 newspapers. Pitts's columns offer insightful commentary on the American experience, particularly the African-American experience. Perhaps his most famous column was a stirring call to American unity penned the day after the te…
Miguel Piñero: 1946-1988: Playwright, poet, actor. When theater-goers think of contemporary playwrights of color, they might think first of Luis Valdez or perhaps August Wilson. These men, who achieved significant reputations as playwrights, became writers in very conventional ways, having first studied drama, as did Valdez, or having evolved from poet to dramatist, as did Wilson. Both …
Nationality: American. Born: Providence, Rhode Island, 1940. Education: Boston College, 1957-59, 1960-61, B.A. in French 1961; University of Louvain, Belgium, 1959-60. Career: Teacher, English School, Rome, 1961-62; guidebook writer, New York, 1962-64; teacher, Boston School of Modern Languages, 1964-65, and St. John's Preparatory School, Massachusetts, 1965-66; moved to England in 1966. He…
Born 1953, in England; father a civil engineer, mother a pharmacist. Education: Studied engineering at University of Newcastle upon Tyne, 1972–73; Newcastle College of Art and Design, diploma in art, 1974; Leeds Polytechnic University, B.A. (first-class honors), 1977; attended Central School of Art. Agent—Patricia White, Rogers, Coleridge & White, 20 Powis Mews, London W11, 1J…
(Jennifer Barrett) Born 1966, in Washington, DC; Education: Attended Hamilton College, 1985-87, and University of the Arts, 1987-88; Moore College of Art and Design, B.F.A., 1991. AR & T Animation Studio, Philadelphia, PA, animation assistant intern, 1988; Hallmark Cards, Kansas City, MO, artist, 1991-93; freelance artist and writer, 1993—. Notable Book citation, American Library Associa…
OBITUARY NOTICE—See index for SATA sketch: Born March 18, 1927, in New York, NY; died September 25, 2003, in New York, NY. Editor and author. Plimpton is best remembered as the editor of the literary journal Paris Review, as well as being a prolific sports writer and author of the novel Paper Lion. Attending Harvard University, where he was editor of the Harvard Lampoon, his education was i…
Born 1955, in Dexter, ME; (stepsons) Lucas, Seth. Education: University of Maine, B.A., 1976, M.A., 1978. Hobbies and other interests: Reading, crocheting, collecting teddy bears and windchimes. Agent—Susan Cohen, Writers' House, 21 W. 26th St., New York, NY 10010. Freelance writer, 1985–. Tri-County Regional Special Education, Dover-Foxcroft, ME, speech-language therapist, 1…
Born 1968, M.F.A., 1970; studied printmaking at Santa Reparata Studio, Florence, Italy. Agent—c/o Author Mail, David R. Godine, Publisher, 9 Hamilton Place, Boston, MA 02108-4715. Reteller and illustrator of children's books. School for the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA, art instructor; art teacher at schools, including Iowa State University, Minneapolis College of Art and Design,…
Nationality: Irish. Born: James Plunkett Kelly in Dublin, 1920. Education: Synge Street Christian Brothers School, Dublin; Dublin College of Music. Career: Branch secretary, Workers Union of Ireland, 1946-55; assistant head of drama, Radio Eireann, Dublin, 1955-60; producer-director, 1961-68, head of features, 1969-71, and senior producer, 1974-85, Radio Telefis Eireann (Irish Television), Dublin.…
Born 1945, in Brooklyn, NY; Education: Queens College of the City University of New York, B.A., 1967; New York University, M.D., 1970. Religion: Jewish. Office—55 East 73rd St., New York, NY 10021. Agent—Georges Borchardt, Georges Borchardt, Inc., 136 East 57th St., New York, NY 10022. New York University, New York, NY, clinical associate professor of dermatology, 1974—; assoc…
Born 1953, in Flint, MI. Education: Attended University of Michigan, Flint. Agent—Candlewick Press, 2067 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140. Illustrator and author of children's books. Formerly worked in automobile factories and in small-press publishing. (Reteller) Coyote Goes Walking, (retelling), Farrar, Straus (New York, NY), 1995. Having a Wonderful Time, Farrar, Straus (Ne…
Born 1929; Education: University of Michigan, B.A., 1950; University of Chicago, M.A., 1952 Hobbies and other interests: Back-packing, gardening, photography. Agent—Jane Jordan Browne, 410 South Michigan, Chicago, IL 60605. Von Steuben Public High School, Chicago, IL, teacher, 1951–52; Chicago Natural History Museum, Chicago, associate editor of museum bulletin, 1952–55; writ…
1894-1986 Professional football player, coach, businessman Pollard, Fritz, photograph. AP/Wide World Photos. Reproduced by permission. A highly successful football and track athlete, Fritz Pollard became the first African American to play in the Rose Bowl when he played for Brown University in 1916 and the first African American to coach in the National Football League (NFL) in 1922. During the ea…
Born 1943, in New York, NY; Education: Attended Iowa State University; Michigan State University, B.S., 1965; Palmer Graduate School of Library and Information Science, Long Island University, M.S., 1969. Writer. Nassau Library System, Uniondale, NY, chief of children's services division, 1974-86. National Women's Book Association, Authors Guild, Authors League of America, Children&#…
Born 1960, in Evergreen Park, IL; Education: Illinois Institute of Technology, B.S. (visual design), 1982. Office— Three Communication Design, 4507 N. Ravenswood, Suite 105, Chicago, IL 60640. Three Communication Design (graphic design firm), Chicago, IL, founding partner, 1989—; writer. Get Red!: An Adventure in Color, Little, Brown (Boston, MA), 2002. Blue Aliens!: An Adventure in…
1930- Cuban vocalist Portuondo, Omara, photograph. Staton R. Winter/Getty Images. The elegant vocalist Omara Portuondo, nearly 70 years old at the time, was the only female artist showcased in the successful Buena Vista Social Club album and film that reintroduced classic Cuban music to American audiences in the late 1990s. It wasn't only because she was a woman that Portuondo stood out, ho…
Born 1960, in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Education: Rietveld Academy, degree in visual arts, 1987. Agent—Thijs Faas, FAAS MM, Herengracht 596, 1017 CJ Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Freelance illustrator and author. Commercial projects include political cartoons, adult and children's books, animated films, postal stamps, CD covers, and posters. Clients include Amnesty International, Du…
Education: Studied at Rhode Island School of Design. Agent—c/o Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 597 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10017. Illustrator for books and magazines, including New Yorker, New York Times, and Land of Nod catalogue; author. Notable book citations, American Library Association, for Mr. Semolina-Semolinus: A Greek Folktale and Gabriella's Song. (Self-illustrated) Luc…
Born 1933, in Shreveport, LA; Education: Attended University of Iowa, 1953–54; University of Washington, B.S., 1955, M.S., 1957, Ph.D. (psychology), 1960, Ph.D. (political science), 1964. Politics: Republican. Religion: "Anglo-Catholic." Hobbies and other interests: Sailing, backpacking, computers, war gaming. Agent—Eleanor Wood, Spectrum Agency, 111 8th Ave., Ste. 1501…
Born 1950, in Edinburgh, Scotland; Education: University of St. Andrews, M.A. (with honors), 1972; attended Aberdeen College of Education, 1972-73. Office—University of Glasgow, Crichton Campus, Room 225, Rutherford Building, Dumfries DG1 4ZL, Scotland. Educator and author. Dumfries Academy, Dumfries, Scotland, assistant principal and English teacher; writer. In Verse (television program),…
Nationality: American. Born: 1957. Career: Has been a computer professional. Currently a full-time writer. Awards: MacArthur grant, 1990-94; Lannan Literary award, 1999. Recipient of a MacArthur "genius grant" in his mid-thirties, Richard Powers published five widely praised novels before the age of forty. Because of his historical subjects, including twentieth-century wars, and his…
Born 1959, in Fremont, OH; Education: Ohio University, B.F.A., 1982; Marywood University, M.F.A., 1987; attended graduate studies at University of Texas, Austin, and Westfälische Wilhelms Universität, Münster, Germany. Hobbies and other interests: Genealogy, folk music, literature. Illustrator and author. Kilani-Honua Institute for Cultural Studies, Pahoa, HI, artist-in-reside…
Nationality: British. Born: Liverpool, 1938. Education: Lord Wandsworth College, Long Sutton, Hampshire, 1949-56; University of Keele, Staffordshire, 1956-60, B.A. (honors) 1960. Career: Personnel officer, Ford Motor Co., Dagenham, Essex, 1960-63; personnel manager, Anglo-American, Zambia, 1963-69; resident writer, Century Theatre touring group, 1970-72, and Duke's Playhouse, Lancaster, 197…
Nationality: British. Born: 1948. Education: Wycombe Technical High School. Career: Journalist in Buckinghamshire, Bristol, and Bath, then press officer, Central Electricity Board Western Region, until 1987. Awards: British Science Fiction award, 1990. Honorary degree, University of Warwick, 1999. Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.), 1998. Agent: Colin Smythe Ltd., P.O. Box 6, Gerrards Cross, Buc…
Born 1947, in Reading, Berkshire, England; Education: Brighton College of Art, B.A., 1969; Reading University, art teacher's diploma, 1972. Hobbies and other interests: Collecting rock and pop memorabilia. Office—27 Keydell Ave., Horndean, Waterlooville, Hants, P08 9TA, England. Writer and illustrator. Worked in advertising and taught for twelve years. Mother Goose Award runner-up, 1…
Born 1962, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Education: Studied graphic design at the college level. Hobbies and other interests: Music, playing instruments, travel. Children's book author and illustrator. Began in magazine illustration. Canadian Governor General's Award, and Mr. Christie Award for best illustration, both 1991, both for Uncle Henry's Dinner Guests; UNICEF-Bologna B…
(Byron Cary Preiss) OBITUARY NOTICE—See index for SATA sketch: Born c. 1953, in New York, NY; died in a car accident July 9, 2005, in East Hampton, NY. Publisher and author. A pioneer in the area of digital publishing, Preiss was president of Byron Preiss Visual Publications and Ibooks, as well as an author of children's and adult books. With an early interest in education, he was an…
Born 1950, in Darmstadt, Germany; Education: Attended Akademie für Bilden de Künste, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. office—c/o Verlag Beltz und Gelberg, Werderstrasse 10, D 69469 Weinheim, Germany. Novelist, translator, and author of children's books. Worked various jobs in Munich, Germany; worked on an Israeli kibbutz. Oldenburger Jugendpreis, 1980, for Bitterschokolade; …
1941— Executive In his distinguished career, Hugh Price worked in public television and journalism, including a stretch on the editorial board of the New York Times; he worked in philanthropy, as the vice president of the Rockefeller Foundation; and he served for nine years as the head of the National Urban League (NUL), helping to revitalize one of America's most important organizat…
Nationality: American. Born: Macon, North Carolina, 1933. Education: Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 1951-55 (Angier Duke scholar), A.B. (summa cum laude) 1955 (Phi Beta Kappa); Merton College, Oxford, 1955-58 (Rhodes scholar), B. Litt. 1958. Career: Member of the faculty since 1958, assistant professor, 1961-68, associate professor, 1968-72, professor of English, 1972-77, and since 1977,…
Nationality: American. Born: New York, 1949. Education: Cornell University, B.S. 1971; Columbia University, graduate study, 1972-74, M.F.A. 1976; Stanford University, further graduate study, 1973. Career: Lecturer in English as a second language, Hostos Community College, 1973; lecturer in urban affairs, New York University, 1973; lecturer in creative writing, State University of New York at Ston…
1930(?)— Mathematician Dr. Richard L. Price—"Doc Price"—an associate professor of mathematics at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, has had a long and distinguished career in academics. He has devoted himself to recruiting black students to Lamar, to mentoring students, and to preparing them for careers in engineering, mathematics, and the sciences. Price serve…
Born 1958. Education: Rhode Island School of Design, B.F.A.; graduate-level writing classes. Hobbies and other interests: Films. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Houghton Mifflin, 222 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 02116-3764. Author and illustrator. Top Ten Picture Books of the Year citation, Redbook magazine, 1989, for Friend or Frog; New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book award, 1999, fo…
Dolores Prida: 1943—: Playwright, journalist, poet. Cuban-American playwright Dolores Prida began her writing career while working for a restaurant chain, and went on to write more than a dozen plays and musicals that achieved critical acclaim. Her plays are known for their frank portrayal of the difficul-ties faced by immigrants who try to embrace a new culture without losing their ol…
Born 1935, in Rochester, NY; children: (first Laurence Pringle marriage) Heidi, Jeffrey, Sean; (third marriage) Jesse, Rebecca. Education: Cornell University, B.S., 1958; University of Massachusetts, M.S., 1960; Syracuse University, doctoral studies, 1960-62. Hobbies and other interests: Photography, films, sports, surf fishing. Freelance writer and photographer, wildlife biologist, and educ…
Freddie Prinze, Jr.: 1976—: Actor. With leading roles in She's All That, Summer Catch, and Scooby-Doo, Freddie Prinze, Jr. made his way into the ranks of Hollywood's leading men while he was still in his early twenties. Although his rise to stardom seemed magical, Prinze had to overcome the shadow of his famous father's death when he was just ten months old and the…
1925–2005 Insurance executive, publisher A newspaper publisher and marketing executive, John L. Procope began a second career in midlife when he joined the Wall Street insurance brokerage E.G. Bowman, founded by his wife Ernesta Procope. That company, rising from storefront beginnings selling $25 insurance policies to African Americans in Brooklyn, New York, became the largest minority-owne…
Nationality: British. Born: London, 1955. Education: Eton College, 1968-73; Magdalen College, Oxford, B.A. and M.A. (with honors), both 1977. Career: Assistant master of English, Eton College, Windsor, 1978, and The Royal School, Shrewsbury, 1978-79; part-time lecturer of English, King's College, London, 1981-83. Deputy editor, The Fiction Magazine, 1982-84. Awards: Geoffrey Faber Memorial …
Born 1947, in Brooklyn, NY; Education: Radcliffe College, B.A., 1968; Harvard University, M.A., 1969. Religion: Jewish. Agent—Georges Borchardt, Georges Borchardt, Inc., 136 East 57th St., New York, NY 10022. Writer and book reviewer. Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, teacher of creative writing, 1971-72; University of Arizona, Tucson, visiting lecturer in fiction, 1982-84; Warren Wilson C…
Nationality: American. Born: Norwich, Connecticut, 1935. Education: University of Vermont, Burlington, B.A. (cum laude), 1969 (Phi Beta Kappa); Sir George Williams University, Montreal, M.A., 1973. Awards: Kress Fellow, Harvard University, Boston, 1974; Vermont Council of the Arts fellowship, 1989, National Endowment for the Arts fellowship, 1991, Guggenheim Foundation fellowship, 1992; PEN/Faulkn…
1940–2005 Comedian, actor, writer In the 1970s and 1980s Richard Pryor was one of America's top comedians, an actor, writer, and stand-up artist whose irreverent albums sold in the millions. Pryor mined both personal and social tragedy for his comic material and peppered his appearances with outrageous language and adult humor. Even at the peak of his popularity, however, he suffered…
Tito Puente: 1923-2000: Bandleader, arranger, percussionist. Tito Puente, legendary band-leader and percussionist, performed his unique blend of Latin music and American jazz for over sixty years. He recorded an astounding 118 albums and was a central figure in nearly every trend in Latin music in the 20th century. "He was the founding father of Latin music as we know it, the master of …
Born 1946, in Norwich, England; Education: Oxford University, B.A., 1968; Weymouth College of Education, earned teaching degree. Politics: Liberal. Hobbies and other interests: Drawing, music. Agent—A. P. Watt, 20 John St., London WC1N 2DR, England; Ellen Levine, 432 Park Ave. S., Suite 1205, New York, NY 10016. Author, playwright, scriptwriter, and educator. Teacher at Ivanhoe, Bishop Kirk…
Nationality: American. Born: near Fremont, Ohio, 1923. Education: The University of Chicago, 1941, 1946; University of Pueblo, Mexico. Career: Worked as an interpreter in Latin America, France, and Spain; taught at Lawrence College, Appleton, Wisconsin, 1949-53. Since 1953 full-time writer. Visiting professor, University of Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1977. Awards: American Academy award, 1958, 1993; Guggenh…
Born 1927, in New Orleans, LA; Education: Loyola University, B.A., 1982; University of New Orleans, M.Ed., 1987. Storyteller, based in New Orleans, LA, beginning 1983. Also worked variously as a retail store manager, fashion coordinator, and Sunday school teacher. National Association for the Preservation and Perpetuation of Storytelling, Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education. Toby Bel…
Nationality: American. Born: Glen Cove, New York, 1937. Education: Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, 1954-58, B.A. 1958. Military Service: Served in the United States Naval Reserve. Career: Former editorial writer, Boeing Aircraft, Seattle. Awards: Faulkner award, 1964; Rosenthal Memorial award, 1967; National Book award, 1974; American Academy Howells medal, 1975. Agent: Candida Donadio and A…
Tony Pérez: 1942—: Professional baseball player and manager. "If there's a runner on second base," former Cincinnati Reds manager Sparky Anderson told the National Baseball Hall of Fame on the occasion of Pérez's induction into that body, "there isn't anybody I'd rather see walk to the plate than Tony Pérez. He turns …
1944-2004 Poet, librarian, community leader Known as an energetic, imaginative individual, Helen Quigless's passion for writing poetry was equalled by her dedication to community projects, including the Partners in Art program, which provides guidance in the arts for disadvantaged children. She was a respected community leader in her home town of Tarboro, North Carolina, where her involveme…
(Rhys Bowen, Janetta Johns) Born 1941, in Bath, England; immigrated to United States, 1966; Education: University of London, B.A. (with honors), 1963; graduate study at University of Kiel and University of Freiburg. Religion: Roman Catholic. Hobbies and other interests: Tennis, travel, drama, music, sketching, hiking. Agent—Meg Ruley, Jan Rostrosen Agency, 318 E. 51st St., New York, NY 1001…
Anthony Quinn: 1915–2001: Actor , artist, writer. Anthony Quinn's robust portrayals of such characters as Zorba the Greek and the fierce Bedouin leader in Lawrence of Arabia (1962) made him larger than life to millions. Appearing in more than two hundred films during a career that spanned six decades, his image was defined by his charismatic performance as the lusty peasant Alexi…
Surname rhymes with "Abe"; born 1928, in Parma, MO; Education: National-Louis University, B.A. (education), 1963; Columbia College, M.A., 1989; graduate study at Northern Illinois University and Roosevelt University. Agent—McIntosh & Otis, Inc., 310 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10017. Children's book author. Model with Patricia Stevens Model Agency, Chicago, IL, 1…
My father was named Grover Cleveland Bagby. His father was James Madison Bagby. Presidential and other greats' names appear in my family genealogy. If such was meant to assure a prosperous life, it somehow missed the target. My mother was Ethalinda Martha Jane Green, the carrier of names of several well-liked female ancestors. A strong line of pioneering women. My ancestry goes back to befo…
Name pronounced "Stay-ton Ray-bin"; born 1958, in New York, NY; vice president and Education: Attended Oberlin College; New York University Tisch School of the Arts, B.F.A. (film), 1980. Politics: "Liberal Democrat." Religion: Jewish. Hobbies and other interests: Movies, museums, politics, science, history, reading. Agent—Donna Bagdasarian, Maria Carvainis Agency…
Born 1963, in Chicago, IL; Education: University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign, B.F.A., 1985. Writer. Bish Creative Display, Northfield, IL, designer, 1985-87; Sears & Roebuck, Chicago, IL, copywriter, 1987; Hoffman York & Compton, Milwaukee, WI, copywriter, 1987-91; Ogilvy Chicago, Chicago, IL, creative director and writer, beginning 1991. Society of Children's Book Writers…
Born 1971, in Leicester, England. Education: South-bank University, B.A. (political science; with honors), 1994. Hobbies and other interests: Soccer. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Random House UK, 20 Vauxhall Bridge Rd., London SW1V 2SA, England. Writer. Former manager of bars and nightclubs in Leicester, England. South Lanarkshire Book Award shortlist, and North East Book Award shortlist, both 20…
(Jody Sullivan) Freelance writer and proofreader, 1999—; Capstone Press, Mankato, MN, consultant, beginning 1999. Southwest Marine Educators Association. Cheetahs: Spotted Speedster, Bridgestone Books (Mankato, MN), 2003. Beavers: Big-toothed Builders, Bridgestone Books (Mankato, MN), 2003. Jody Rake Deer: Graceful Grazers, Capstone Press (Mankato, MN), 2003. Georgia, Capstone Press …
Tina Ramirez: 19(?)(?)—: Dancer, choreographer, educator. Tina Ramirez has managed to bring Hispanic culture to the forefront of mainstream dance through the creation of Ballet Hispanico, a renowned Hispanic-American dance company and school. After years of training as a dancer, choreographer, and teacher, Ramirez realized her dream of blending contemporary American dance and Hispanic c…
Born 1925, in San Francisco, CA; Education: Attended University of Washington; attended writing course at King County (WA) night school. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Henry Holt & Co., 115 West 18th St., New York, NY 10011. Writer. Salty Dog, illustrated by husband, Ted Rand, Henry Holt (New York, NY), 1989. Salty Sails North, illustrated by Ted Rand, Henry Holt (New York, NY), 1990. Salty …
Born 1972, in New York, NY; Education: Swarthmore College, B.A., 1993; Columbia University, M.F.A., 1996; Fordham University, M.A., 2000; Rutgers University, Ph.D., 2005. Agent—Simon Lipskar, Writer's House, 21 W. 26th St., New York, NY 10010. Writer. Clovermead: In the Shadow of the Bear (young-adult fantasy novel), Margaret K. McElderry Books (New York, NY), 2004. A sequel to Clove…