Biographies: Dudley Randall Biography - A Poet from an Early Age to Ferrol Sams Jr Biography

Brief Biographies

Dudley Randall Biography - A Poet from an Early Age, Civil Rights Movement Inspired Randall, Broadside Press Published Black Poetry

1914–2000 Poet, publisher, editor In his roles as poet and publisher, Dudley Randall was the leading exponent of the new black poetry movement of the 1960s. Randall, whose critically-acclaimed poems prompted Detroit Mayor Coleman Young to name him the Poet Laureate of the City of Detroit in 1981, started the Broadside Press out of his home in 1965 and ran it nearly single-handedly for a doz…

14 minute read

Linda A. Randolph Biography - Family Valued Education, Entered Medical School, Began Work in Public Health, Returned to Washington

1941— Physician, public health official, president and CEO of the D.C. Developing Families Center When Linda Randolph was only three years old, she turned to her mother as they left her pediatrician's office and announced that someday she, too, would become a doctor. Brought up in a family that valued education and creativity, Randolph grew to love learning and to believe in her…

12 minute read

Willie Randolph Biography - Went to Mets Game on Date, Left Yankees for Dodgers, Persisted After Unsuccessful Interviews

1954- Major league baseball manager, player Randolph, Willie, photograph. Peter Kramer/Getty Images. A star second baseman with the powerhouse New York Yankees baseball teams of the 1970s and 1980s, Willie Randolph became New York's first African-American pro baseball manager when he was named to that post by the New York Mets in 2004. Randolph rose to prominence as a player and manager the…

7 minute read

Charles Rangel Biography - Left Harlem for Military Service, Committed Himself to Public Service, Became Established in his Government Career

1930— Politician, activist Congressman Charles Rangel of New York is one of the most influential and respected men in Washington, D.C. Since his legislative career began in 1970, he has been recognized as a dedicated, hardworking individual with a personality that is uniquely suited to political productivity. He expresses his opinions forcefully and stands by them steadfastly, but he is als…

14 minute read

Joan Rankin (1940-) Biography - Career, Sidelights - Personal, Member, Honors Awards, Writings

Born 1940, in Johannesburg, South Africa; Education: Attended Michaelis Art School, 1957-58. Politics: "Mandela supporter." Hobbies and other interests: Cats, dogs, birds, tropical fish, pottery. Johannesburg Children's Book Forum, Union Internationale de la Marionette, Johannesburg Spinner and Weavers Guild. First place, HAUM-Daan Retief competition for children's book…

3 minute read

Kwame Raoul Biography

1964– Politician and lawyer Raoul, Kwame, photograph. AP/Wide World Photos. Kwame Raoul took office in the Illinois State Senate in 2004 when he was appointed to the seat vacated by Barack Obama, who had been elected to the U.S. Senate. The son of Haitian immigrants, Raoul vowed that his top priorities would include affordable health care, equitable funding for public education, and increas…

5 minute read

Frederic (Michael) Raphael Biography - Frederic Raphael comments:

Nationality: American. Born: Chicago, Illinois, 1931. Education: Charterhouse School, Godalming, Surrey; St. John's College, Cambridge, 1950-54 (Major Classics Scholar, 1950; Harper Wood Studentship, 1954), M.A. (honours) 1954. Career: Since 1962 contributor, and fiction critic, 1962-65, Sunday Times, London. Awards: British Screen Writers award, 1965, 1966, 1967; British Academy award, 196…

14 minute read

Adam ?)- Rapp (1968() Biography - Awards, Honors, Sidelights - Personal, Addresses, Career, Writings

Born 1968, in Chicago, IL; Education: Clarke College (Dubuque, IA), B.A. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Front Street Books, 20 Battery Park Ave., Asheville, NC 28801. Playwright and novelist. Artist-in-residence at Vassar College and Dartmouth College; playwright-in-residence at Julliard School of Music, New York, NY, 2000—. Missing the Piano, Viking (New York, NY), 1994. The Buffalo Tree, …

1 minute read

Doreen Rappaport Biography - Awards, Honors, Sidelights - Personal, Addresses, Career, Writings, Adaptations, Work in Progress

Born in New York, NY; Education: Brandeis University, B.A. Agent—c/o Author Mail, HarperCollins, 10 East 53rd St., 7th Fl., New York, NY 10022. Teacher of music and reading in schools in New York and New Rochelle, NY, 1961-1968; teacher at a freedom school, McComb, MS, 1965; writer. (With Susan Kempler and Michele Spirn) A Man Can Be…, photographs by Russell Dian, Human Sciences Pre…

3 minute read

Ken Rappoport (1935–) Biography - Personal, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1935, in Brooklyn, NY; Education: Rider College, B.S., 1956. Politics: Democrat. Religion: Jewish. Hobbies and other interests: Photography, cooking, travel. Journalist and author. Dorf Feature Service, Newark, NJ, feature writer and reporter, 1960–61; Doylestown Intelligencer, Doylestown, PA, reporter, 1961–63; Associated Press, reporter in Philadelphia, PA, 1963–69, spo…

6 minute read

Ras Shorty I Biography - Selected discography

1941-2000 Musician Ras Shorty I, photograph. AP/Wide World Photos. One of the few musicians of modern times who could claim to have almost single-handedly created a long-lasting musical genre, Ras Shorty I, formerly known as Lord Shorty, was one of the most creative figures to emerge from the Caribbean island of Trinidad. With hits such as "Indrani" and his 1974 album Endless …

6 minute read

Chris Raschka (1959–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

(Christopher Raschka) Born 1959, in Huntingdon, PA; Education: St. Olaf College, B.A., 1981. Hobbies and other interests: Yoga, walking, playing solitaire, playing viola and concertina, knitting. Office—310 Riverside Dr., No. 418, New York, NY 10025. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Atheneum, Simon & Schuster, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020. Writer, artist, and musician…

27 minute read

Sabina I. Rascol Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings

Born in Romania. Education: Bryn Mawr College, B.A.; University of Bucharest, M.A. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Dutton, Penguin Putnam, 375 Hudson St., New York, NY 10014. Writer. Fulbright fellowship; New York Public Library's 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing designation, Excellent Choices of Trade Books for Grades K-9, Eastern Washington University, and Librarians' Choice desig…

less than 1 minute read

Andy Rash Biography - Personal, Career, Writings, Sidelights

Born in Kingsport, TN. Education: Savannah College of Art and Design, B.F.A.; New York School of Visual Arts, M.F.A. Freelance illustrator of magazines, newspapers, and children's books. Has also taught illustration at School of Visual Arts, New York, NY. The Robots Are Coming, and Other Problems, Arthur A. Levine Books (New York, NY), 2000. Agent A to Agent Z, Arthur A. Levine Books (New Y…

2 minute read

Peggy Rathmann (1953-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

(Margaret Crosby) Born 1953, in St. Paul, MN; Education: University of Minnesota, B.A. (in psychology); studied art at American Academy (Chicago, IL), Atelier Lack (Minneapolis, MN), and Otis Parson's School of Design. Hobbies and other interests: Flying kites, walks on the beach, chess. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Putnam/Berkeley Publicity Department, 200 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016…

13 minute read

Margaret Rau (1913–) Biography - Personal, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

Surname rhymes with "now"; born 1913, in Swatow, Guangdong, China; Education: Studied under private tutor in China; attended University of Chicago, 1931, Columbia University, 1932, and University of Redlands, 1933–34; Riverside Library College, degree, 1934. Writer. Photographic Society of America, United States-China People's Friendship Association, National Writers Gu…

5 minute read

Elizabeth Raum (1949-) Biography - Personal, Career, Member, Writings, Work in Progress, Sidelights

Born 1949, in Brattleboro, VT; Education: University of Vermont, B.S., 1971; Rutgers University, M.L.S., 1989; Montclair State College, M.A., 1993. Religion: Presbyterian. Writer, educator, and librarian. Teacher at Mapleton High School, Mapleton, ND, 1976-77, and Madison High School, Madison, NJ, 1986-89; librarian at Hillside School, Livingston, NJ, 1989-91, and Concordia College, Moorhead, MN, …

2 minute read

Silver RavenWolf (1956-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Writings, Sidelights

Given name, Jenine Trayer; born 1956; Religion: Wicca. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Llewellyn World Wide, 84 South Wabasha, P.O. Box 64393, St. Paul, MN 55164-0383. Writer. Member of Wiccan clergy and leader of thirty-five covens in the United States and one in Canada. Authors Guild, Authors League of America. To Ride a Silver Broomstick: New Generation Witchcraft, Llewellyn (St. Paul, MN), 1993.…

5 minute read

Mary Lyn Ray (1946-) Biography - Personal, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1946, in Monroe, LA. Education: Smith College, A.B. (American studies), 1968; University of Delaware, M.A. (Early American arts and culture), 1970. Writer and conservationist. Worked in museums for fifteen years; has also worked as a professional consultant in land protection and historic preservation. Named New Hampshire Conservationist of the Year, 1989; Calder Award finalist, Conservation …

11 minute read

Jane Ray (1960-) Biography - Personal, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1960, in London, England; Education: Middlesex Polytechnic, B.A. (with honors), 1982. Politics: "Left/green/feminist." Hobbies and other interests: Music, gardening, green politics, reading writing. Illustrator. Formerly teacher of art to students with learning difficulties. Association of Illustrators. Kate Greenaway Medal shortlist, 1992, for The Story of Christmas. (Reteller)…

5 minute read

Gene Anthony Ray Biography - Street Dancer, "Fame" Brought Fame, Troubles Took Over, Selected works

1962-2003 Actor, dancer Gene Anthony Ray shot to fame in the early 1980s when he took on his first—and only important—role of his acting career. As Leroy Johnson in both the movie and television versions of Fame, Ray used his street-honed disco moves, good looks, and tough-guy personality to win over a generation of teenagers. A talented dancer, Ray's problems with drugs and a…

7 minute read

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

[A pseudonym] (Carolyn Bear) Born 1944, in Exeter, England; Education: University of Newcastle upon Tyne, B.A. (philosophy; with honors); attended University of Western Australia. Politics: "Socialist." Religion: Church of England (Anglican). Hobbies and other interests: Painting. Agent—Laura Cecil, 17 Alwyne Villas, London N1 2HG, England. Novelist and scriptwriter. McCann Er…

5 minute read

Michael (Joseph) (Rod Alexander Pellowski Charles Bracken Melanie Martin Liz Matthews Morgan Matthews Ski Michaels Michael Morgan Pellowski Bart Rockwell Richard Smithsen Anthony Ventura Dick Walker) (1949-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member

Born 1949, in New Brunswick, NJ; Education: Rutgers University, B.A., 1971. Hobbies and other interests: Jogging, sports. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Enslow Publishers, Box 398, 40 Industrial Rd., Dept. F61, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922-0398. Professional football player affiliated with the New England Patriots, 1971-73; Gibbons School, New Brunswick, NJ, teacher of philosophy and art, director of…

11 minute read

Hugh (Shoo Rayner) Rayner Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Writings, Sidelights

Born in Kingston upon Thames, England; Education: Attended Cambridge Art School. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Hodder and Stoughton, 338 Euston Rd., London NW1 3BH, England. Author and illustrator; previous jobs include painting signs and silk screening, and working as a mapmaker for the Land Registry, Peterborough, England. Lamb Drover Jim: The Champion Sheepdog, Bedrick/Blackie (New York, NY), …

8 minute read

Piers Paul Read Biography

Nationality: British. Born: Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, 1941; son of the writer Herbert Read. Education: Gilling Castle, York, 1949-52; Ampleforth College, York, 1953-57; St. John's College, Cambridge, 1959-62, B.A. in history 1962, M.A. 1966. Career: sub-editor, Times Literary Supplement, London, 1964-65. Artist-in-residence, Ford Foundation, Berlin, 1963-64; adjunct professor of writin…

6 minute read

Richard P(atrick) Reading (1962–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1962, in Evanston, IL; Education: Trinity College (Hartford, CT), B.S. (biology), 1984; Yale University, M.S. (environmental studies), 1986, M.S. and M.Phil. (wildlife ecology), 1991, Ph.D. (wildlife ecology), 1993. Office—Denver Zoological Foundation, 2900 E. 23rd Ave., City Park, Denver, CO 80205. Trinity College Department of Biology, Hartford, CT, independent researcher, 1985; New…

4 minute read

John (Francisco) Rechy Biography - John Rechy comments:

Nationality: American. Born: El Paso, Texas, 1934. Education: Texas Western College, El Paso, B.A.; New School for Social Research, New York. Military Service: Served in the United States Army. Career: Has taught creative writing at University of California, Occidental College, and University of Southern California, all Los Angeles. Lives in Los Angeles. Awards: Longview Foundation prize, 1961; Na…

7 minute read

Lance Reddick Biography - Injury Led to Drama Study, Played Major Role in HBO Series, Selected works

19??— Actor Reddick, Lance, photograph. Peter Kramer/Getty Images. Renowned for his depictions of hard-edged characters on the television crime dramas Oz and The Wire, Lance Reddick has earned a reputation as a versatile and gifted actor. From his Shakespearean stage performances to his depictions of gritty urban street characters in contemporary television and film, Reddick has brou…

6 minute read

Ishmael (Scott) Reed Biography

Nationality: American. Born: Chattanooga, Tennessee, 1938. Education: Buffalo Technical High School; East High School, Buffalo, graduated 1956; University of Buffalo, 1956-60. Career: Staff writer, Empire Star Weekly, Buffalo, 1960-62; freelance writer, New York, 1962-67; co-founder, East Village Other, New York, and Advance, Newark, New Jersey, 1965; teacher, St. Mark's in the Bowery prose…

6 minute read

Douglas Rees (1947–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Work in Progress, Sidelights

Born 1947, in Riverside, CA; second Politics: "Liberal." Religion: "High-church Episcopalian." Agent—c/o Author Mail, Watson-Guptill Publications, 770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003. Fiction writer and librarian. San Jose Public Library, San Jose, CA, librarian. Notable Book designation, American Library Association (ALA), and New York Public Library Best Book for…

6 minute read

Tracy Reese Biography - Spent Summer in Manhattan, Ready to Try Again

1964— Designer Reese, Tracy, photograph. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images. Tracy Reese ranks as one of the fashion industry's most successful African-American women whose realm is not relegated to the runway. In a business where few designer labels seem to make it past their fifth anniversary, Reese has two clothing lines, TR and Plenty, which have been sold at Nordstrom, Saks Fif…

7 minute read

Milous J. Reese Jr. Biography

1904— Chiropractor, acupuncturist, herbologist Reese, Milous, photograph. Courtesy Dr Reginald Hug. Throughout his life Dr. Milous J. Reese, Jr., has been a soft-spoken, mild-mannered man, but a tenacious fighter for better healthcare practices and supporting legislation in Alabama. Before his phased retirement began in the 1980s he did not hesitate to lend his money, energy, and tim…

6 minute read

Gregory Reeves Biography - Remembered Racism and Unsung Heroes, Discovered Technology and Career Path, Joined BIG

1952— Non-profit executive, advocate Gregory Reeves is the national president of Blacks in Government (BIG), a non-profit advocacy group dedicated to preserving and enhancing government employment for blacks. The organization was founded in 1975 by black federal employees of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in Rockville, Maryland, in order to respond to concerns regarding th…

8 minute read

Dian Curtis Regan (1950-) - Awards, Honors, Sidelights - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Writings, Adaptations, Work in Progress, Autobiography Feature

Born 1950, in Colorado Springs, CO; Rio Grande Railroad) and Katherine (a homemaker; Education: University of Colorado, Boulder, B.S. (education; with honors), 1980. Politics: Independent. Religion: Roman Catholic. Hobbies and other interests: Traveling, study of alternative healing, reading. Agent—Curtis Brown Ltd., 10 Astor Pl., New York, NY 10003. Hewlett Packard, Colorado Springs, CO, …

45 minute read

Cyrille Regis Biography - Became A Professional Soccer Player, Built An Impressive Record, Enjoyed A Twenty-year Career

1958— British soccer player Regis, Cyrille, photograph. Michael Fresco/Evening Standard/Getty Images. Cyrille Regis is the best known of a trio of black players who appeared for the West Bromwich Albion team in the late 1970s, a time when there were very few black players in English soccer. At that time, to have three on one team was unique. A powerful striker with great pace, Regis …

2 minute read

Dietlof Reiche (1941-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Adaptations, Sidelights

Born 1941, in Dresden, Germany. Education: Technical University (Darmstadt, Germany), degree (mechanical engineering), 1970; additional study in sociology. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Verlagsgruppe Beltz, Berderstrasse 10, D-69469 Weinheim, Germany. Hochschulinstitut für Ergonomie, member of staff for four years; freelance writer; graphic designer, 1994-98. Military service: German Federal…

4 minute read

Tim Reid Biography - Benefited from Atmosphere at Black College, Observed Directorial Techniques, Directed Film, Selected works

1944– Actor, director, producer Reid, Tim, photograph. WENN/Landov. Since his years in the role of disc jockey Venus Flytrap on the series WKRP in Cincinnati in the late 1970s, actor Tim Reid has been a familiar presence on prime-time and syndicated television. Reid got that part because he challenged the producers of the series to improve on their original stereotypical conception of the c…

8 minute read

Senghor Reid Biography

1976– Artist A standout young artist in the Detroit area, Senghor Reid began gaining national recognition around 2004 with a major commission from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, and an exhibition of his work at the National Black Arts Show in New York City. Reid grew up in a very creative home, and some of his paintings showed a keen awareness of the heritage of African-…

6 minute read

Carl Reiner (1922-) Biography - Career, Awards, Honors, Writings, Sidelights - Personal, Addresses, Member, Adaptations

Born 1922, in New York, NY; Education: Attended the School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University. Agent—George Shapiro, 141 El Camino Drive, #205, Beverly Hills, CA 90212. Carl Reiner Actor's Equity Association, Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, Writers Guild, Dramatists Guild, Directors Guild. Two Thousand Years with Carl Reiner and…

2 minute read

Matthew Reinhart Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Writings, Work in Progress

Partner of Robert Sabuda (an illustrator). Education: Pratt Institute, graduate; earned B.S. (biology). Agent—c/o Author Mail, Hyperion Books, 114 5th Ave., New York, NY 10011. Model maker, paper engineer, educator, and illustrator. Pratt Institute, New York, NY, instructor in paper engineering; Eye Bank for Sight Restoration, New York, NY, technician; model maker for Nickelodon and Newswee…

1 minute read

Frank Remkiewicz (1939-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Adaptations, Sidelights

Born 1939, in Rockville, CT; Education: Art Center College of Design, B.P.A. (with honors), 1965. Agent—Kendra Marcus, 67 Meadow View Rd., Orinda, CA 94563. Norcross Greeting Cards, New York, NY, staff illustrator, 1968-73; freelance author and illustrator, 1973-92. New York Times Ten Best of the Season citation, 1991, for The Last Time I Saw Harris; I Hate Camping named a Children's…

15 minute read

Ruth (Barbara) Rendell Biography

Pseudonym: Barbara Vine. Nationality: British. Born: Ruth Barbara Grasemann, London, 1930. Education: Loughton High School, Essex. Career: Reporter and sub-editor, Express and Independent newspapers, West Essex, 1948-52. Awards: Mystery Writers of America Edgar Allan Poe award, for short story, 1975, 1984; Crime Writers Association Silver Dagger award, 1984, and Gold Dagger award, 1976, 1986, 1987…

9 minute read

Michael D(iamond) Resnick (1942-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Adaptations, Work in Progress, Sidelights

(Mike Resnick) Born 1942, in Chicago, IL; Education: Attended University of Chicago, 1959-61, and Roosevelt University, 1962-63. Politics: Independent. Hobbies and other interests: Travel, reading, Africana, breeding and exhibiting purebred collies. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Spectrum Literary Agency, 320 Central Park W., Suite 1-D, New York, NY 10025. Full-time freelance writer, 1966—.…

30 minute read

Silvestre Reyes: 1944—: Congressman Biography - Joined Immigration And Naturalization Service, Elected To Congress, Became Chair Of The Congressional Hispanic Caucus

Silvestre Reyes is a Mexican-American Democratic congressional representative from the 16th District of El Paso, Texas. He is a Vietnam veteran who spent more than 25 years working for the Immigration and Naturalization Services, most notably as the chief of the United States Border Patrol in El Paso. He earned a reputation as an innovative and effective leader by introducing new programs to contr…

1 minute read

Ving Rhames Biography - Grew up with Gangsters, On Stage and Screen, Won Kudos for Generosity, Selected works

1959— Actor Forging his reputation by playing tough and often frightening characters, Ving Rhames has built a career as a stage, film, and television actor that has had few lulls since he landed his first role in the early 1980s. Many of the characters he has played have been prototypes of real-life thugs and criminals who were commonplace in the gritty urban environment where he grew up. O…

7 minute read

Louise A. Rice Biography

1941— Educator, community leader Like many young black women attending college, Louise Rice joined a sorority for social and academic support. She chose Delta Sigma Theta because she felt that the organization's goals and ideals reflected the principals that she thought were important. As she later told reporter Faith Johnson in an article for the Augusta Chronicle, "I observe…

6 minute read

Anne Rice Biography

Pseudonyms: Anne Rampling; A.N. Roquelaure. Nationality: American. Born: Howard Allen O'Brien, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1941; name changed to Anne c.1947. Education: Texas Women's University, Denton, Texas, 1959-60; San Francisco State College (now University), California, B.A. 1964, M.A. 1971; graduate study at University of California, Berkeley, 1969-70. Career: Has held a variety o…

12 minute read

Earle (Wilmont) Rice Jr. (1928-) Biography - Personal, Sidelights - Career, Member, Writings, Work in Progress

Worked as a designer, technical writer, and senior design engineer in the aerospace, electronics, and nuclear industries, 1960-93; freelance writer, 1993—. Military service: U.S. Marine Corps, 1948-57, received Purple Heart. Cross & Cockade International, Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, League of World War I Aviation Historians, U.S. Naval Institute, Air F…

3 minute read

Jerry Rice Biography - Forced into Football, Joined rs (49e), Became Super Bowl MVP, Set Multiple NFL Records

1962– Professional football player In 1992 Jerry Rice, then the star wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers, grabbed the record for most touchdown receptions in a professional football career, with 101. That milestone—coming as it did during the prime of his career—assured Rice a future berth in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. San Francisco Chronicle correspondent Ron Thomas…

14 minute read

Hilda Richards Biography - Needed Better Climate and Catholic Education, Stung by Racism in the Midwest

1936— Educator, health care activist Dr. Hilda Richards is immediate past president of the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA), an organization representing 150,000 nursing professionals across the United States. She is Chancellor Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Indiana University Northwest in Gary, Indiana, and was the first dean of the College of Health and Human Services at Ohio …

8 minute read

Justin Richards Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Writings, Adaptations, Sidelights

children: two sons. Agent—Miles Stott Children's Literary Agency, East Hook Farm, Lower Quay Rd., Hook, Haverfordwest SA62 4LR, Wales. Novelist, editor, technical writer, and software designer. Worked as a software designer for multinational computer company for 14 years; British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), London, England, creative director for BBC Worldwide. The Death Collecto…

4 minute read

Chuck Richards (1957–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1957; Education: University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, B.F.A., 1979; University of Wisconsin, Madison, M.F.A., 1983. Office—Iowa State University, Art and Design Department, 158 College of Design, Ames, IA 50011. Educator, illustrator, and author. Teacher of art at colleges and art schools beginning c. 1983; Iowa State University, Ames, associate professor of art and design. When …

2 minute read

David Richards Biography

Nationality: Canadian. Born: Newcastle, New Brunswick, 1950. Education: Attended St. Thomas University. Awards: Norma Epstein First Prize for Undergraduate Creative Writing, 1974; silver medal (Atlantic chapter of the Royal Society of the Arts), 1986-87; Governor General's award for fiction, 1988; Canadian Authors' Association award, 1991; Canada-Australia Writer's prize, 1993…

6 minute read

Mordecai Richler Biography

Nationality: Canadian. Born: Montreal, 1931. Education: Attended Sir George Williams University, 1949-51. Career: Freelance writer in Paris, France, 1952-53, London, England, 1954-72, and Montreal, 1972—; writer-in-residence, Sir George Williams University, 1968-69; visiting professor of English, Carleton University, 1972-74; member of editorial board, Book-of-the-Month Club, 1972—. …

13 minute read

Chris Riddell (1962–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

(Christopher Barry Riddell) Born 1962, in Capetown, South Africa; Education: Attended Epsom School of Art and Design, 1980–81; Brighton Polytechnic, B.A. (first-class honours), 1984. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Andersen Press, 20 Vauxhall Bridge Rd., London SW1V 2SA, England. Freelance illustrator and writer. Political cartoonist for London periodicals, including Economist, 1988–95…

17 minute read

Tohby Riddle (1965-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Writings, Work in Progress, Sidelights

Born 1965, in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Education: Sydney College of the Arts, Bachelor of Visual Arts degree, 1985; Sydney University, Bachelor of Architectural Science degree, 1991. Office—P.O. Box 1290, Maroubra, New South Wales 2035, Australia. Freelance cartoonist and illustrator, 1986—; writer/illustrator of picture books, 1988—. (Adapter, with Michael Verde) …

7 minute read

EdNah New Rider ?)– Weber (1919() Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1919, in NM. Ethnicity: "Native American." Agent—c/o Author Mail, Lee & Low, 95 Madison Ave., Ste. 1205, New York, NY 10016. Writer. Spur Award for Best Western Juvenile Nonfiction, 2005, for Rattlesnake Mesa: Stories from a Native American Childhood. Rattlesnake Mesa: Stories from a Native American Childhood, photographs by Richela Renkun, Lee & Low (New York, NY), 2004.…

2 minute read

Janet Riehecky (1953-) Biography - Personal, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1953, in Waukegan, IL; Education: Illinois Wesleyan University, B.A., 1975; Illinois State University, M.A., 1978; Northwestern University, M.A., 1983. Politics: Democrat. Religion: Baptist. Hobbies and other interests: Dinosaur hunting. Blue Mound High School, Blue Mound, IL, English/speech instructor, 1977–80; West Chicago Community High School, West Chicago, IL, English instructor, …

10 minute read

Anita (Anita Louise) Riggio (1952-) Biography - Personal, Career, Awards, Honors, Sidelights - Addresses, Member, Writings

Agent—Kirchoff/Wohlberg, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 525, New York, NY 10017. Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (member of New England regional advisory board, 1990-92; New England regional coordinator, 1992-1997). Wake Up, William!, Atheneum (New York, NY), 1987. Gert & Frieda, Atheneum (New York, NY), 1990. A Moon in My Teacup, Boyds Mills Press (Hones…

1 minute read

Rochelle Riley Biography - Found Life Unimaginable without Books, Led Teen Discussion, Backed Cosby, Selected writings

1959(?)— Journalist One of the top young African-American journalists in the United States, Rochelle Riley received several awards for her nationally syndicated columns in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Originating at the Detroit Free Press and, prior to that, the Courier-Journal in Louisville, Kentucky, those columns found audiences beyond those cities because of Riley's down-to-ea…

6 minute read

(Margaret) LeAnn Rimes (1982-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Work in Progress, Sidelights

Born 1982, in Jackson, MS; married Dean A. Sheremet (a dancer, actor, and writer), February, 2002. LeAnn Rimes Office—Prodigy Entertainment, Ltd., P.O. Box 150667, Nashville, TN 37215. Recording artist, actress, songwriter, and author. Signed with Curb Records, Nashville, TN, c. 1995; vocal recordings include singles "Ten Thousand Angels Cried," "You Light up My …

5 minute read

Ann Rinaldi (1934–) Biography - Personal, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1934, in New York, NY; Electric), July, 1960; children: Ronald P. Jr., Marcella. Writer. Somerset Messenger Gazette, Somerset, NJ, columnist, 1969–70; Trentonian, Trenton, NJ, columnist, feature writer, and editorial writer, 1970–91. Lecturer, making visits to schools and educational conferences around the United States. Former member, Brigade of the American Revolution. First p…

25 minute read

Lawrence S(tanley) Ritter (1922-2004) Biography

OBITUARY NOTICE—See index for SATA sketch: Born May 23, 1922, in New York, NY; died February 15, 2004, in New York, NY. Educator and author. An economist and New York University professor, as a writer Ritter was actually best remembered for his baseball book The Glory of Their Times: The Story of the Early Days of Baseball Told by the Men Who Played It (1966; revised edition, 1985). Earning…

1 minute read

Diego Rivera: 1886-1957: Artist Biography - Began Drawing As A Toddler, Arrived In Europe As A Young Man, Returned To Mexico, Became A Muralist

Diego Rivera: 1886-1957: Artist. One of the most charismatic, controversial, and creative artists to emerge from the twentieth century, Mexican artist Diego Rivera revived the mural art form and rekindled interest in the folk art of Mexico. Much of the controversy surrounding Diego grew out of his politics. A self-avowed Communist, he nonetheless had no qualms about growing rich off of capital…

less than 1 minute read

Tom Robbins Biography - Tom Robbins comments:

Nationality: American. Born: Thomas Eugene Robbins in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, 1936. Education: High school in Warsaw, Virginia; Hargarve Military Academy; Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia; Richmond Professional Institute (now Virginia Commonwealth University), graduated 1960. Military Service: Served in the United States Air Force in Korea. Career: Copy editor, Richmond Tim…

6 minute read

Willo Davis Roberts (1928-) - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Work in Progress, Sidelights, Autobiography Feature

Born 1928, in Grand Rapids, MI; Ethnicity: "Caucasian." Politics: Republican. Religion: Christian. Hobbies and other interests: Reading, research. Agent—Curtis Brown, 10 Astor Pl., New York, NY 10003. Writer. Has worked in hospitals and doctors' offices; former co-owner of a dairy farm. Lecturer and workshop leader at writers' conferences and schools; consultant…

105 minute read

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

Born 1962, in Torquay, England; Education: Bath University, B.S. (mathematics; first class honors), 1983. Religion: Church of England (Anglican). Hobbies and other interests: Skiing, cycling, horses, folk dancing, music. Agent—Maggie Moach Literary Agency, 21 Dorville Crescent, London W6 0HJ, England. Author, 2001—. GEC Measurements, Stafford, England, engineering mathematician, 198…

7 minute read

Robin Roberts Biography - Inspired by Talented Family Members, Pursued Sports Broadcasting as a Career, Joined ESPN

1960— Television personality One of the most successful female news personalities on television, Robin Roberts hosts Good Morning America for the American Broadcasting Company (ABC). The poised and well-spoken Roberts made a name for herself as a commentator for ESPN's SportsCenter and ABC's long-running Wide World of Sports. She was ESPN's first on-air black anchorwoma…

9 minute read

Michèle (Brigitte) Roberts Biography

Nationality: British. Born: Bushey, Hertfordshire, 1949. Education: Oxford University, B.A. (with honors) 1970; University of London Library Associate, 1972. Career: Has worked as a librarian, cook, teacher, cleaner, pregnancy counselor, and researcher; writer-in-residence, Lambeth Borough, London, 1981-82, and Bromley Borough, London, 1983-84. Poetry editor, Spare Rib, 1975-77, and City Limits, …

5 minute read

Willo Davis Roberts (1928-2004) Biography - OBITUARY NOTICE—

See index for CA sketch: Born May 29, 1928, in Grand Rapids, MI; died of congestive heart disease November 19, 2004, in Granite Falls, WA. Author. Roberts was an award-winning author best known for her children's mystery novels. A few years after graduating from high school, she married and began to raise a family. After moving to California, she and her husband tried to run a dairy farm wi…

1 minute read

Smokey Robinson Biography - Selected discography

1940— Singer, songwriter, record producer Robinson, Smokey, photograph. © Fred Prouser/Reuters/Corbis. Smokey Robinson, the "poet laureate of soul music," has been composing and singing rhythm and blues hits for more than four decades. As the lead singer of the Miracles, Robinson, who moved to SBK Records later in his career, helped to put Detroit and its Motown Re…

12 minute read

Sharon Robinson (1950–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1950, in New York, NY; Education: Harvard University, B.S.; Columbia University, M.S. Hobbies and other interests: Sports, reading. Agent—Marie Brown, Marie Brown Associates, 625 Broadway, New York, NY 10012. Nurse midwife, 1975–; writer. Yale University, New Haven, CT, assistant professor of nursing; also taught at Columbia University, Howard University, and Georgetown Universi…

3 minute read

Reginald R. Robinson Biography - Introduced to Ragtime by Ice-Cream Truck, Befriended by Chicago Pianist, Faced Financial Problems

1972- Ragtime composer, pianist Robinson, Reginald R., photograph. AP/Wide World Photos. Reproduced by permission. Reginald Robinson makes new piano music in a genre that flourished a hundred years ago. Ragtime, the music that brought African-American syncopated rhythms to a broad American public in the early years of the twentieth century, marked an important stage of American musical history. Ye…

8 minute read

Kim Stanley Robinson Biography

Nationality: American. Born: Waukegan, Illinois, 1952. Education: University of California, San Diego, B.A. in literature, 1974, Ph.D. 1982; Boston University, M.A. in English 1975. Career: Visiting lecturer, University of California, in Davis, 1982-84, 1985, and in San Diego, 1982, 1985. Awards: World Fantasy award, 1983; SF Chronicle award, 1984, 1992; Locus award, 1985, 1991, 1994, 1997; Nebula…

7 minute read

Marilynne Robinson Biography

Nationality: American. Born: Sandpoint, Idaho, in 1943. Education: Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, B.A. in American literature; University of Washington, Seattle, M.A. and Ph.D. in English. Awards: American Academy Rosenthal Foundation award, 1982; Hemingway Foundation award, 1982; PEN Essay Prize, 1999. Housekeeping is, for most people, a basic requirement, if only on the simplest le…

5 minute read

Peter Robinson Biography

Nationality: Canadian. Born: Castleford, Yorkshire, 1950. Education: University of Ledds, B.A. 1974; University of Windsor, M.A. 1975; York University, Ph.D. 1983. Awards: Arthur Ellis award for Canadian crime novel of the year, 1992. Peter Robinson, who emigrated to Canada in 1974, is best known for his novels featuring Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks of the Eastvale Criminal Investigation…

6 minute read

Mary Robison Biography

Nationality: American. Born: Mary Reiss in Washington, D.C., 1949. Education: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, M.A. 1977. Career: From 1981, member of the Department of English, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Visiting lecturer, Ohio University, Athens, 1979-80; writer-in-residence, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, 1980 and 1985, University of North Carolina, Gree…

5 minute read

Luane Roche (1937–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1937, in Wilkes Barre, PA; Education: Sacred Heart Junior College, A.A., 1958; Mercy School of Nursing, graduated, 1958. Politics: Republican. Religion: Roman Catholic. Hobbies and other interests: Baking, cooking, canning, puzzling, gardening, crocheting, reading. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Liguori Publications, One Liguori Dr., Liguori, MO 63057-9999. St. Anne's Hospital, Chicago,…

2 minute read

Anne F(oote) Rockwell (1934–) Biography - Personal, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Adaptations, Sidelights

Born 1934, in Memphis, TN; Education: Attended Sculpture Center and Pratt Graphic Arts Center. Politics: "Liberal Democrat." Religion: Episcopalian. Author and illustrator. Silver Burdett Publishers, Morristown, NJ, member of production department, 1952; Young and Rubicam (advertising agency), art-buying secretary, 1953; Goldwater Memorial Hospital, New York, NY, assistant recreation…

29 minute read

Kristina Rodanas (1952-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Work in Progress, Sidelights

Born 1952, in Manchester, NH. Education: Boston University, B.F.A., 1974. Kristina Rodanas office—c/o Author Mail, Marshall Cavendish, 99 White Plains Rd., Tarrytown, NY 10591-9001. Author and illustrator of children's books. Art teacher at elementary schools, 1974-99; freelance writer, 1980—. Speaker and artist-in-residence at elementary schools. Exhibitions: Artwork e…

7 minute read

Johnathan Rodgers Biography

1946— Television executive Johnathan Rodgers is among the nation's most influential television executives. He served as the highest-ranking black executive at an American television network from 1990 to 1996; then expanded Discovery Network into a multi-billion dollar success in the cable industry, and in 2003 helped launch a new black-oriented cable channel called TV One. Throughout…

12 minute read

Colby Rodowsky (1932-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

(Colby F. Rodowsky) Born 1932, in Baltimore, MD; Education: College of Notre Dame of Maryland, B.A. (English), 1953. Religion: Roman Catholic. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Gail Hochman, Brandt & Brandt, 1501 Broadway, NY 10036. Teacher in public schools in Baltimore, MD, 1953–55, and in a school for special education, 1955–56; Notre Dame Preparatory School, Baltimore, librarian�…

19 minute read

Jimmy Rodriguez Biography - Started Selling Seafood on the Street, Launched First Jimmy's Restaurant

1963(?)— Restaurateur Rodriguez, Jimmy, photograph. Thos Robinson/Getty Images Jimmy Rodriguez's story has all the elements of a fairy tale. In this story, a high school dropout helps his Puerto Rican father sell seafood from a pushcart alongside a highway. Slick cars whoosh past, ferrying baseball stars to nearby Yankee stadium, or across the river to Manhattan penthouses. Th…

7 minute read

Alex Rodriguez: 1975—: Baseball Player Biography

Alex Rodriguez: 1975—: Baseball player. Baseball player Alex Rodriguez has been inspiring fans for years with his style of play. He became a household name when he signed a $252-million contract with the Texas Rangers in December of 2001. Rodriguez has won numerous awards and is known for his versatile talent on the field and his good conduct off it. Rodriguez, known as "A-Rod&#x…

6 minute read

Carlos Manuel Rodriguez: 1918-1963: Religious Educator Biography - Deeply Committed To Spirituality And Learning, Inspired Many In Life And Death, Beatified By Pope John Paul Ii

Carlos Manuel Rodriguez: 1918-1963: Religious educator. When he was beatified and thus placed on the road to sainthood by Pope John Paul II in 2001, Carlos Manuel Rodriguez became the first Caribbean-born—and only the second Latin American—lay individual (not a priest or a member of a religious order) to achieve that rank in the hierarchy of Catholic historical figures. Rodriguez…

1 minute read

Robert Rodriguez: 1968—: Director, Filmmaker, Screenwriter Biography - Won Way Into Film School, Low Budget "mariachi" Impressed Hollywood, Moved Toward Family Oriented Action

Robert Rodriguez: 1968—: Director, filmmaker, screenwriter. Filmmaker Robert Rodriguez amazed the moviegoing world in 1992 with his debut feature El Mariachi, shot for the unheard-of total of $7,000 when Rodriguez was 23 years old. That film introduced to the world a director with a dazzling visual style and a fabulous flair for storytelling. The making of El Mariachi was widely descri…

1 minute read

Daniel Rodríguez: 1964—: Former Law Enforcement Officer, Singer Biography - Abandoned Singing Career To Support Family, Became New York's "singing Cop", Launched A Full-time Singing Career

Daniel Rodríguez: 1964—: Former law enforcement officer, singer. Twelve days after the horrific terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, on New York's World Trade Center, New York City police officer Daniel Rodríguez took the stage at Yankee Stadium's mass memorial service, "Prayer for America," and sang "God Bless America." The p…

1 minute read

Narciso Rodríguez: 1961(?)—: Fashion Designer Biography - Rose To Fame With Besette Design, Own Line Garnered Rave Reviews, Officially Became "new York" Designer

Narciso Rodríguez: 1961(?)—: Fashion designer. Narciso Rodríguez won the coveted Perry Ellis award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America in 1998. The annual honor is bestowed on the best new women's wear designer to emerge in the past year, and Rodríguez had recently become a household name across North America when he created the ethereal slip dr…

2 minute read

John W. Rogers Jr. Biography

1958— Investor, business executive Once his father gave him shares of stock as a 12th birthday gift, John W. Rogers, Jr., was hooked on Wall Street. He secured the services of his own broker at age 18 and four years later, in 1980, became a broker himself. Raising $180,000 from family and friends, Rogers started his own investment firm, Ariel Capital Management, with one other employee in 1…

11 minute read

Al Roker Biography - Selected writings

1954— Television weathercaster Roker, Al, photograph. AP/Wide World Photos. Reproduced by permission. Al Roker may describe himself as "goofy-looking" and "nothing special," but his combination of accurate forecasting and warm, relaxed delivery have won him possibly the most visible weather anchor position on television. Roker is the weekday weathercaster …

7 minute read

Ray Romano (1957–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Adaptations, Sidelights

(Raymond Romano) Born 1957, in New York, NY; Education: Attended Queens College. Office—c/o Talk Productions, Warner Bros. Studios, Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91522. Comedian and actor. During early career, worked variously as a gas station attendant, bank clerk, and truck driver. Stand-up comedian; wrote, produced, and played Ray Barone in television series Everybody Loves Raymond, Columbia…

6 minute read

Alejandro Romero: 1948—: Painter and Muralist Biography - Worked In Muralist's Workshop, Created Posters, Influenced By European Expressionists

The epic art of the Mexican muralist school meets the pulsating energy of Latin American neighborhood streets in the works of Alejandro Romero, one of the best-known and most visible Hispanic visual artists in the United States. Trained in Mexico, Romero moved to Chicago in 1975 and began to adorn that city with murals, posters, and conventional paintings. His emotionally intense works, influenced…

1 minute read

Daphne (Marie) Rooke Biography - Daphne Rooke comments:

Nationality: British and South African. Born: Daphne Marie Pizzey in Boksburg, Transvaal, South Africa, 1914. Education: Durban Girls' High School. Awards: Afrikaanse Pers Beperk prize, 1946. (1991) The places where I have lived have been most important to my writing. My early memories of the Transvaal are reflected in Mittee. Ratoons has for background the South Coast of Natal where I liv…

7 minute read

Connie Roop (1951–) Biography - Personal, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

(Constance Betzer Roop) Born 1951, in Elkhorn, WI; Education: Lawrence University, B.A., 1973; attended University of Wisconsin—Madison and Colorado School of Mines, 1974; Boston College, M.S.T., 1980. Politics: "Independent." Religion: Unitarian-Universalist. Hobbies and other interests: Reading, traveling, camping, sewing, skiing, and activities with her husband and children…

14 minute read

Peter Roop (1951–) Biography - Personal, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

(Peter G. Roop) Born 1951, in Winchester, MA; Education: Lawrence University, B.A., 1973; Simmons College, M.A., 1980; also attended University of Wisconsin—Madison. Politics: Democrat. Religion: Unitarian-Universalist. Hobbies and other interests: Reading, traveling, speaking to educators, librarians, and writers, playing with his children. Appleton Area School District, Appleton, WI, teac…

17 minute read

Godeleine de Rosamel (1968-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Writings

Born 1968, in Lille, France. Education: Attended l'Ecole de recherche graphique (Brussels, Belgium). Agent—c/o Author Mail, Gareth Stevens, 330 West Olive St., Ste. 100, Milwaukee, WI 53212. Freelance illustrator, 1991—, and author, 1996—. La ferme en carton, Casterman (Paris, France), 1996. Modelages faciles, Casterman (Paris, France), 1996. Têtes extra, Casterma…

1 minute read

Lionel Rose Biography - Followed Father into the Ring, Rose Through the Ranks of Australian Boxing, Won World Bantamweight Championship

1948– Boxer Rose, Lionel, photograph. • Hulton-Deutsch Collection/Corbis. Lionel Rose's career embodied the stuff legends are made of. In a boxing career begun in a makeshift ring in a poverty stricken aboriginal settlement, Rose developed a crushing punch that helped him become the first Australian aborigine to win a world championship title, and the second Australian to take…

10 minute read

Faya Ora Rose Touré Biography - Selected works

1945– Attorney, civil rights and education activist, songwriter, playwright Faya Ora Rose Touré is a Harvard-educated Civil Rights activist and litigation attorney who has worked on some of the highest-profile civil rights cases to come before the courts. Touré—who spent most of her career as Rose Sanders until she decided to step away from her "slave name"…

7 minute read

Malcolm Rose (1953–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1953, in Coventry, England; Education: University of York, B.A., 1974, D.Phil., 1978. Politics: "Listing to the left." Hobbies and other interests: Science, sports, music, hill walking. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Kingfisher Publications, New Penderel House, 283-288 High Holborn, London WC1V 7HZ, England. University of Liverpool, Liverpool, England, postdoctoral research fell…

12 minute read

Marvin Rosen (1933–) Biography - Personal, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Work in Progress, Sidelights

Born 1933, in New York, NY; Education: University of Massachusetts, B.A., 1956; University of Pennsylvania, M.A., 1958; University of Pennsylvania, Ph.D., 1961. Religion: Jewish. Hobbies and other interests: Writing, gardening, hiking. Psychologist. Albert Einstein Hospital, psychologist, 1961–62; University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, instructor in psychology, 1962–63; Elwyn Inst…

3 minute read

Meg Rosoff (1956-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Work in Progress, Sidelights

Born 1956, in Boston, MA; Education: Attended Harvard University; attended St. Martin's College of Art (London, England); completed B.A. degree in the United States. Agent—c/o Wendy Lamb, 1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019. Writer. Worked previously in publishing and advertising. Guardian Children's Fiction Prize, and Whitbread Award shortlist, both 2004, and Michael L. Printz …

4 minute read

Kathy Ross (1948–) Biography - Personal, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

(Katharine Reynolds Ross) Born 1948, in Saginaw, MI; Education: Attended Lake Erie College, 1966–68. Religion: Episcopalian. Hobbies and other interests: Collecting antique paper dolls, reading children's literature, animals. Ross Educational Systems, Inc., Oneida, NY, owner, president, and nursery school teacher, beginning 1983. Preschool consultant for Highlights for Children; song…

13 minute read

Judith Rossner Biography

Nationality: American. Born: Judith Perelman in New York City, 1935. Education: City College of New York, 1952-55. Address: c/o Simon and Schuster, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020, U.S.A. Judith Rossner's novels are concerned with women and relationships. In almost all of them, starting with To the Precipice in 1966 and continuing through August in 1983, the story open…

11 minute read

Philip (Milton) Roth Biography

Nationality: American. Born: Newark, New Jersey, 1933. Education: Weequahic High School, New Jersey; Newark College, Rutgers University, 1950-51; Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, 1951-54; A.B. 1954 (Phi Beta Kappa); University of Chicago, 1954-55, M.A. 1955. Military Service: Served in the United States Army, 1955-56. Career: Instructor in English, University of Chicago, 1956-58; visi…

22 minute read

Shelley Rotner (1951–) Biography - Personal, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1951, in New York, NY; Education: Attended Syracuse University Extension Program, 1972; Syracuse University, B.A., 1972; postgraduate study at Columbia University, 1977; Bank Street College of Education, M.A., 1979. Photographer, writer, and educator. Aggasiz Community School District, Cambridge, MA, photography instructor, 1975; Learning Guild, Boston, MA, photography instructor, 1975–…

9 minute read

S(usan) L(ynn) Rottman (1970-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1970, in Albany, GA; Wickberg.. Education: Colorado State University, B.A. (English), and secondary teacher certification, 1992. Hobbies and other interests: White-water rafting, swimming, downhill skiing, watching sit-coms. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Viking, Penguin Putnam, 375 Hudson St., New York, NY 10014. Educator and author. Widefield School District Number Three, Colorado Springs, C…

6 minute read

Kenny Roy Biography

1990(?)— Pilot Kenny Roy was just 14 years old when he flew his first solo flight over British Columbia in September of 2004, and made aviation history that day as the youngest African-American pilot licensed to fly a plane on his own in the world. Because Canadian aviation regulations allow 14-year-olds to earn their solo pilot's license, Roy journeyed with another young pilot and a…

4 minute read

Arundhati Roy Biography

Nationality: Indian. Born: Kerala, India, c. 1960. Education: Attended architectural school. Career: Sold cakes on a beach in Goa, India; worked as an architect; actress, screenwriter, and novelist. Lives in New Delhi, India. Awards: Booker prize, 1997. Agent: c/o Random House, 201 East 50th Street, New York, New York 10022, U.S.A. Arundhati Roy's The God of Small Things was one of the most…

5 minute read

Lucille Roybal-Allard: 1941—: U.S. Congresswoman Biography - No Interest In Holding Office, Brought Grass-roots Groups Together, Moved To The National Stage

Lucille Roybal-Allard: 1941—: U.S. Congresswoman. In 1992 Lucille Roybal-Allard became the first woman of Mexican descent to win election to the U.S. Congress. Politics had been a part of her life from childhood; her father, Edward Roybal, served in Congress for 30 years. She developed a strong commitment to social justice early on, and became well known and respected for her activity …

1 minute read

Angela Royston (1945–) Biography - Personal, Career, Member, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1945, in Bridlington, Yorkshire, England; Ethnicity: "White." Education: University of Edinburgh, M.A., 1966. Politics: Green Party. Religion: "Agnostic." Writer. Worked as a secretary in London, England, 1967–73; Macdonald Educational, London, children's nonfiction editor, 1973–78; Grisewood &Dempsey, London, children's nonfictio…

29 minute read

Bernice (Ruth) Rubens Biography - Bernice Rubens comments:

Nationality: British. Born: Cardiff, Wales, 1928. Education: Cardiff High School for Girls; University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire, Cardiff, 1944-47, B.A. (honours) in English 1947. Career: English teacher, Handsworth Grammar School for Boys, Birmingham, 1948-49. Since 1950 documentary film writer and director, for the United Nations and others. Awards: American Blue Ribbon Award, for…

9 minute read

Gillian (Margaret) Rubinstein (1942-) Biography - Personal, Awards, Honors, Sidelights - Addresses, Career, Member, Writings, Adaptations

(Lian Hearn) Agent—Caroline Lurie, Australian Literary Management, 2-A Armstrong St., Middle Park, Victoria 3206, Australia. London School of Economics, London, England, research assistant, 1964-65; Greater London Council, London, administrative officer, 1965-66; Tom Stacey Ltd., London, editor, 1969-71; freelance journalist and film critic, 1971-74; freelance writer, 1986—. Writer-i…

3 minute read

Paulina Rubio: 1971—: Singer, Actress Biography - Joined Teen Singing Group, Launched Solo Singing Career, Sought English-language Project, Critics Were Again Unimpressed

Paulina Rubio: 1971—: Singer, actress. Already one of the brightest stars in the pantheon of Latin American popular music, Paulina Rubio seems poised to become the next big Latin crossover success, following in the footsteps of Shakira, Enrique Iglesias, and Ricky Martin. The daughter of one of Mexico's most successful film stars, Susana Dosamantes, Rubio got into music at an ear…

1 minute read

Laura Ruby Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

children: two step daughters. office—c/o Author Mail, HarperCollins Children's, 1350 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019. Author. Parent's Choice Silver Honor for Fiction, 2003, and Edgar Allan Poe Award nomination for best juvenile mystery, 2004, both for Lily's Ghosts. Lily's Ghosts, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 2003. Laura Ruby is the author of Lily&#…

1 minute read

Jane (Vance) Rule Biography

Nationality: Canadian. Born: Plainfield, New Jersey, United States, 1931. Education: Palo Alto High School, California; Mills College, Oakland, California (Ardella Mills award, 1952), 1948-52, B.A. in English 1952 (Phi Beta Kappa); University College, London, 1952-53; Stanford University, California, 1953. Career: Teacher of English and biology, Concord Academy, Massachusetts, 1954-56; assistant d…

6 minute read

Michael Rumaker Biography - Michael Rumaker comments:

Nationality: American. Born: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1932. Education: Rider College, Trenton, New Jersey; Black Mountain College, North Carolina, graduated 1955; Columbia University, New York, M.F.A. 1970. Career: Visiting writer-in-residence, State University of New York, Buffalo, 1967; Lecturer in Creative Writing, New School for Social Research, New York, 1967-71; writer-in-residence and Le…

5 minute read

(Ahmed) Salman Rushdie Biography

Nationality: British. Born: Bombay, India, 1947. Education: Cathedral School, Bombay; Rugby School, Warwickshire, 1961-65; King's College, Cambridge, 1965-68, M.A. (honours) in history 1968. Career: Worked in television in Pakistan and as actor in London, 1968-69; freelance advertising copywriter, London, 1970-81; council member, Institute of Contemporary Arts, London, from 1985. Sentenced …

11 minute read

Joanna Russ Biography

Nationality: American. Born: New York City, 1937. Education: Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, B.A. 1957; Yale University School of Drama, New Haven, Connecticut, M.F.A. 1960. Career: Lecturer in Speech, Queensborough Community College, New York, 1966-67; instructor, 1967-70, and assistant professor of English, 1970-72, Cornell University; assistant professor of English, State University of Ne…

7 minute read

Brenda Russell Biography - Found Lucky Breaks in Canada, Learned to Write a Good Song

1944(?)— Vocalist, composer, keyboardist, producer Russell, Brenda, photograph. Wenn/Landov. Singer, songwriter Brenda Russell's talent has earned her new fans and the respect of industry peers since she sang her way through the Age of Aquarius in the rock musical Hair. During this time of the Beatles, hippies, campus unrest, love-ins, and the Vietnam War, youth culture took i…

10 minute read

P(hilip) Craig Russell (1951–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1951, in Wellsville, OH; Education: University of Cincinnati, B.F.A. (painting), 1974. Politics: Libertarian. Hobbies and other interests: Piano (classical and salon). Agent—Mike Friedrich, Star Reach Productions, 2991 Shattuck Ave., Ste. 202, Berkeley, CA 94705. Freelance graphic story artist, 1972–. Marvel Comics, New York, NY, illustrator and adapter, worked on comic-book ser…

11 minute read

Marisabina Russo (1950-) Biography - Career, Awards, Honors, Sidelights - Personal, Addresses, Writings

Born 1950, in New York, NY; Education: Mount Holyoke College, B.A., 1971. Politics: Independent. Hobbies and other interests: Photography, swimming, scuba diving. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Greenwillow Books, 1350 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019. The Line Up Book, Greenwillow (New York, NY), 1986. Why Do Grown-Ups Have All the Fun?, Greenwillow (New York, NY), 1987. Only Six More Da…

1 minute read

Sergio Ruzzier (1966-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1966, in Milan, Italy; children: one daughter. Office—203 17th St., Number 21, Brooklyn, NY 11215. Illustrator, 1986—. Creator of comic strips for Linus magazine, 1989-93, and Lupo Alberto magazine; writer. School of Visual Arts, New York, NY, instructor, 2004—. Exhibitions: Solo exhibitions at Galleria Derbylius, Milan, Italy, 1993, Galleria Nuages, Milan, 1999, Galleri…

5 minute read

Margaret Ryan (1950–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1950, in Trenton, NJ; Education: University of Pennsylvania, B.A., 1972; Syracuse University, M.A., 1974; attended Columbia University, 1976. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Franklin Watts/Scholastic Library Publishing, P.O. Box 1795, 90 Sherman Tpke., Danbury, CT 06816. Ryan Business Writing, speechwriter and owner, 1976–. New York State Poets in Public Service, teacher, 1987–91.…

6 minute read

Joanne (Rose) Ryder (1946-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1946, in Lake Hiawatha, NJ; Education: Marquette University, B.A. (journalism), 1968; graduate study at University of Chicago, 1968-69. Hobbies and other interests: "Travel, gardening and flower arranging, reading and listening to poetry, working and playing with puppets, and hiking through woods and parks and by the sea." Agent—c/o William Morrow, 1350 Avenue of the Amer…

30 minute read

Cynthia Rylant (1954-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Adaptations, Sidelights

Surname is pronounced "rye-lunt"; born 1954, in Hopewell, VA; twice Education: Morris Harvey College (now University of Charleston), B.A., 1975; Marshall University (Huntington, WV), M.A., 1976; Kent State University, M.L.S., 1982. Politics: Democrat. Religion: "Christian, no denomination." Hobbies and other interests: Pets, reading, going to movies, going to the seasho…

42 minute read

Peter Sís (1949-) Biography - Career, Awards, Honors, Sidelights - Personal, Addresses, Member, Writings, Adaptations

Born 1949, in Brno, Moravia, Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic); immigrated to United States, 1982, naturalized citizen, 1989; Education: Academy of Applied Arts (Prague, Czechoslovakia), M.A., 1974; attended Royal College of Art (London, England), 1977-78. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Farrar, Straus, & Giroux, 19 Union Square W., New York, NY 10003. Peter Sís Association Internation…

4 minute read

Robert Sabuda (1965–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

(Robert James Sabuda) Born 1965, in Pinckney, MI; partner of Matthew Reinhart (an author and illustrator). Education: Pratt Institute, B.F.A. (communication design; summa cum laude), 1987. Hobbies and other interests: Yoga. Agent—c/o Dunham Literary, Inc., 156 5th Ave., Ste. 625, New York, NY 10010-7002. Children's book author and illustrator, 1988–. Society of Children…

15 minute read

Louis Sachar (1954-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

Surname pronounced Sack-er; born 1954, in East Meadow, NY; Education: University of California, Berkeley, B.A., 1976; University of California, San Francisco, J.D., 1980. Agent—Ellen Levine Literary Agency, 432 Park Ave. S., Suite 1205, New York, NY 10016. Writer, 1977—. Beldoch Industries, Norwalk, CT, shipping manager, 1976-77; lawyer, 1981-89. Authors Guild, Society of Children&#x…

21 minute read

Marilyn Sachs (1927-) Biography - Personal, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Adaptations, Sidelights

(Marilyn Stickle Sachs) Born 1927, in New York, NY; Education: Hunter College (now Hunter College of the City University of New York), B.A., 1949; Columbia University, M.S. (library science), 1953. Politics: "I'm for whatever and whoever will help bring about a more human, peaceful society." Religion: Jewish. Writer. Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn, NY, children's lib…

18 minute read

Antonio Sacre (1968-) Biography - Personal, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1968, in Boston, MA; Ethnicity: Cuban-American. Education: Boston College, B.A., 1990; Northwestern University, M.A., 1991. Internationally touring writer, storyteller, and performance artist. Actor in theatre productions, including Ayamon, Red Roses for Me, at Abbey Studio, Dublin, Ireland; Tony, in You Can't Take it with You, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL; and in Tosca, at Bos…

3 minute read

Nayantara (Pandit) Sahgal Biography - Nayantara Sahgal comments:

Nationality: Indian. Born: Allahabad, 1927. Education: Wellesley College, Massachusetts, 1943-47, B.A. in history 1947. Career: Scholar-in-residence, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, 1973, 1977; research scholar, Radcliffe Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1976; lecturer, University of Colorado semester-at-sea, 1979; fellow, Woodrow Wilson International Center, Washington, D.C., 1981, and…

9 minute read

Tim Sale (1956-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Writings, Sidelights

Born 1956, in Ithaca, NY. Education: Studied art at University of Washington; studied comic art with John Buscema. Agent—c/o Author Mail, DC Comics, 1700 Broadway, New York, NY 10019. Comic book artist, 1985—; began with Warp Graphics' Myth Adventures, has also worked for Thieves' World Graphics, DC Comics, and Marvel Comics. Thieves' World Graphics 1, Thieves&#…

7 minute read

J(erome) D(avid) Salinger Biography

Nationality: American. Born: New York City, 1919. Education: McBurney School, New York, 1932-34; Valley Forge Military Academy, Pennsylvania (editor, Crossed Sabres), 1934-36; New York University, 1937; Ursinus College, Collegetown, Pennsylvania, 1938; Columbia University, New York, 1939. Military Service: Served in the 4th Infantry Division of the United States Army, 1942-45: Staff Sergeant. Agen…

9 minute read

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

Born 1944, in Philadelphia, PA; Education: California State University at Northridge, B.A. (magna cum laude), 1974; Vermont College of Norwich University, M.F.A., 1990. Politics: "Middle of the road." Hobbies and other interests: Boating and fishing, biking, running. Agent—Fran Lebowitz, Writers House, 21 West 26th St., New York, NY 10010. Writer. Worked variously as a deckha…

16 minute read

Coleen Salley Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights

Born in Baton Rouge, LA. Education: Attended Louisiana State University. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Harcourt Children's Books, 15 E. 26th St., New York, NY 10011. Writer, educator, and professional storyteller. Winthrop College for Women (now Winthrop University), librarian in laboratory school; University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, distinguished professor of children's lite…

5 minute read

James Sallis Biography

Nationality: American. Born: Helena, Arkansas, 1944. Education: Attended Tulane University, 1962-64. Career: Former college instructor, publisher's reader, and magazine editor. Agent: c/o Meredith Bernstein, 470 West End Avenue, New York, New York 10023, U.S.A. The novels of James Sallis exhibit the strong influence of the French New Novelists, who fashion structurally complex existential …

7 minute read

Bryce Salvador Biography - Drafted By Tampa Bay, Developed Skills In Ahl, Played Hard Despite Injuries

1976— Professional hockey player By the time the players' strike and owners' lockout silenced the rinks of the National Hockey League (NHL) in 2004 and 2005, Bryce Salvador had become a defensive mainstay of the St. Louis Blues squad. Not a headline-grabbing offensive player, nor a natural talent who immediately shone in what was often a young man's game, Salvador devel…

less than 1 minute read

Joe Sample Biography - Escaped Realities Of Segregation Through Music, Worked As Session Musician, Suffered From Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Selected discography

1939— Jazz pianist An artist who has flourished in both the artistic world of jazz and in the popular genres of funk and R&B, pianist Joe Sample has rejected artificial genre divisions. "I detest the separation that has gone on," he told the San Diego Union-Tribune. "[African-American musical styles] all came out of our spirituality, out of the church. When peopl…

2 minute read

Fay (Elizabeth) Sampson (1935-) Biography - Personal, Career, Sidelights - Member, Writings

Amnesty International, Society of Authors, Fellowship of Christian Writers, West Country Writers Association. F.67, Hamish Hamilton (London, England), 1975. Half a Welcome, Dobson (London, England), 1977. The Watch on Patterick Fell, Dobson (London, England), 1978, Morrow (New York, NY), 1980. The Empty House, Dobson (London, England), 1979. Landfall on Innis Michael (sequel to The Watch on Patter…

1 minute read

Ferrol Sams Jr Biography

Nationality: American. Born: Fayetteville, Georgia, 1922. Education: Attended Mercer University; Emory University, M.D. 1949. Military Service: Served in military 1943-47. Career: Physician in private practice, Fayetteville, Georgia, 1951—; instructor in creative writing, Emory University, Atlanta, 1991—. Awards: Townsend Prize for Fiction, 1991; D. Lit.: Mercer University, 1987, Emo…

7 minute read