1955— Engineer, activist As the 22nd national president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the nation's largest black sorority, in her career as an engineer at Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory, and in her dedicated community service, Gwendolyn E. Boyd has been a prominent advocate for women's equality and for the recruitment of black Americans int…
Born 1947, in Canada; companion to Larry Loyie (a writer and speaker). Education: University of Guelph, B.A.; University of Alberta, M.A. Travel and history writer; director of plays by partner, Larry Loyie. Co-founder, Living Traditions Writers Group. Co-recipient, with Loyie, Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children's Nonfiction, 2003, for As Long as the Rivers Flow: A Last Summer before R…
1916-2004 Journalist The career of journalist William Brower spanned vast developments in African-American life, and he chronicled them all. When he was hired by the Blade newspaper of Toledo, Ohio, in 1946, he was one of just a handful of African-American journalists employed by white-owned newspapers. Over the next 50 years he never stopped perfecting his craft, and by the time he retired he had…
OBITUARY NOTICE—See index for SATA sketch: Born August 31, 1923, in Biltmore, NC; died December 4, 2003, in Lake Forest, IL. Author. Brock was a popular children's author best known for her 1970 book, No Flying in the House. After attending the University of North Carolina and George Washington University, she left formal education behind to marry and raise a family. During her lifet…
1930-2001 Attorney, civil rights activist In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Byrd Brown is considered a local hero. As a courageous and articulate civil rights activist, he fought prejudice and inequality during a time in history when progressive political leadership was crucial in America, thus giving voice to those who had no access to power. "Byrd Brown was an African American who stood in the…
Born 1959, in Exeter, England; Education: Attended Aston University, 1980; North East London Polytechnic, B.A., 1983. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Scholastic, Inc., 524 Broadway, New York, NY 10012. Worked various jobs in England, including musician, gasoline station attendant, crematorium handyman, civil service clerk, hot dog vendor at the London Zoo, post office clerk, and railway ticket offic…
Female. Religion: Jewish. Office—c/o Author Mail, Benchmark Books, 99 White Plains Rd., Tarrytown, NY 10591. Writer and speaker; former community college instructor; registered nurse and health educator; art instructor; former artist-in-residence at Seattle Children's Museum. American Research Center in Egypt. Sydney Taylor Book Award honor book selection, Association of Jewish Libr…
Born 1953, in Orange, NJ; Education: Yale University, B.A., 1974; graduate study at University of California-Berkeley Drama School, 1974-75, and Yale University School of Drama, 1976-77. Religion: Quaker. Office—c/o Workman Publishing, 708 Broadway, New York, NY 10003-9555. Author, illustrator, and cartoonist. Recycled Paper Products, Inc., Chicago, IL, designer of greeting cards, 1974-95, …
Born 1954, in London, England; Education: Queen's College, Cambridge, M.A. (with honors). Hobbies and other interests: Sports, cinema, reading. Agent—Pat White, Rogers Coleridge & White, 20 Powis Mews, London W11 10N, England. Full time author, 1987—. Music Week magazine, chief sub-editor, c. 1978; Parents magazine, United Kingdom edition, deputy editor, 1979-87; write…
Born 1943, in Montclair, NJ; Ethnicity: "African American." Education: Virginia State University, B.S., 1964, M.Ed., 1978; additional studies at Appalachian State University, Virginia Commonwealth University, James Madison University, and University of Virginia. Religion: Baptist. Richmond Public Schools, Richmond, VA, library media specialist, 1967-98; writer, 1998—. Maggie L…
Born 1972, in Madison, WI; Education: Carleton College, B.A., 1994. Author and illustrator of children's books. Carleton College, Northfield, MN, cross-country and track coach. Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Children's Literature Network, Loft Literary Center. The Practically Perfect Pajamas, Winslow Press (New York, NY), 2000. Octavius Bloom and the Hous…
1963— Journalist Boyd, Suzanne, photograph, Peter Kramer/Getty Images. Magazine editor Suzanne Boyd launched Suede, a fashion magazine aimed at African-American women, in 2004. Unfortunately, Suede struggled financially through five issues before its parent company put it on indefinite hiatus. Future career prospects for Boyd—a Canadian of West Indian background—were un…
1878-1962 Critic, poet Though in his lifetime William Stanley Braithwaite was termed the "Boston Dictator" for his formidable authority as an arbiter of taste in the world of American poetry, his influence later waned, and literary history seems to have forgotten him after his 1962 passing. An editor, anthologist, critic, and published poet himself, Braithwaite was a key figure in th…
1976— Professional hockey player Brown, Sean, photograph. Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images. New Jersey Devils defenseman Sean Brown, one of just a handful of players of African descent in the National Hockey League (NHL), brings to the minds of many fans an earlier, more physical era of professional ice hockey. He is big (six-feet three-inches tall, 210 pounds), powerful, and a bit…
(Virginia Roberts Meredith Brackett) Born 1950, in Fort Riley, KS; divorced); (second marriage) Marcus A. Brackett (stepson). Education: University of Arkansas Medical Center, B.S.M.T. (medical technology), 1973; Missouri Southern State College, B.S. (marketing and management), 1989; Pittsburgh State University, M.A. (English), 1991; University of Kansas, Ph.D. (English), 1998. Politics: Democrat.…
1962— Professional bowler In 1993 George Branham became the first African American to win a Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) title. He had bowled since the age of six and joined the PBA at age 24. In 17 years as a professional bowler, Branham won five major titles, including the sport's highest honor, the Tournament of Champions. He also rolled 23 games with a perfect score of …
1970— Vocalist, songwriter, producer Brown, Patrick "Sleepy", photograph. Sandra Rose/Getty Images. When Patrick "Sleepy" Brown contributed the "I love the way you move" refrain to rap duo OutKast's 2004 hit "The Way You Move," it was only the latest in a series of irresistible hooks, steeped in classic Southern soul, tha…
Born 1952; children: two sons. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Carolrhoda Books, Inc., 241 1st Ave. N., Minneapolis, MN 55401. School teacher for approximately twenty-five years, including work with hearing-impaired children. Utah Language Arts Teacher of the Year, 1996–97. I Loved You Before You Were Born, illustrated by Greg Shed, HarperCollins Publishers (New York, NY), 2001. How Did You G…
Born 1949, in St. Petersburg, FL; Education: San Diego State University, B.A. (literature), 1971, M.A. (writing), 1981. Hobbies and other interests: Reading, snow skiing, animals, pine furniture, travel, American folk art. Office—P.O. Box 87257, Tucson, AZ 85754. Agent—c/o Author Mail, 21 Hillside Cir., Bayfield, CO 81122. Central Union High School, El Centro, CA, writing teacher, 1…
Born 1964. Education: University of Nottingham, B.A.; University of Manchester, M.A. Agent—c/o Author Mail, 18 Tichborne St., Brighton, East Sussex BN1 1UR, England. Graphic artist, author, and illustrator. Has worked on projects involving advertising, animation, packaging, toy design, and greeting cards. Where's My Mommy?, Tiger Tales (Wilton, CT), 2002. If Dogs Wore Clothes, Campb…
Sonia Braga: 1950—: Actress. Few press reports on the actress Sonia Braga ever fail to mention her nickname, "the Brazilian Bombshell." Best known for her role in the acclaimed 1985 film Kiss of the Spider Woman, Braga has made dozens of films, both in her native Brazil and for Hollywood studios, and many of the performances have been marked by a smoldering sensuality. The…
Born 1941, in Tiverton, England; Education: Attended Bournemouth College of Art, 1957–59; Birmingham College of Art, degree (with first-class honors), 1961; Royal College of Art, M.A., 1964. Politics: Liberal. Hobbies and other interests: Gardening, walking the dog in the countryside, reading, traveling, visiting antique shops, cooking. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Andersen Press, Ltd., Ra…
Benjamin Bratt: 1963—: Actor. Benjamin Bratt wasn't sure he wanted to be an actor, but for someone who thought that at least he could teach if his acting career didn't pan out, he has certainly built himself a promising career. He started out acting in a few small spots in movies, then landed the role that shot him to fame as Detective Reynaldo Curtis on Law & Order…
A member of "The Miami Generation" of Cuban-born artists who relocated to the United States after Cuba's communist revolution, Maria Brito has won acclaim for paintings and sculptures that evoke themes of displacement, loss, and the search for identity. Her work, praised for its intuitive appeal and its densely symbolic qualities, has earned national attention and is included …
Born 1954, in Arlington, VA; two Education: Bennington College, B.A., 1976. Hobbies and other interests: Music (piano), fiber arts. office—Robin Brickman Illustrations, 32 Fort Hoosac Place, Williamstown, MA 01267. Freelance illustrator. Western Massachusetts Illustrators Guild, Children's Literature Connection, Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Child Study…
1926-2005 Entertainer Brown, Oscar, Jr., photograph. AP/Wide World Photos. Reproduced by permission. Oscar Brown Jr. was not a man easily defined. Labels like songwriter, composer, actor, singer, director, producer, playwright all fit, but not quite. He was also an activist, a visionary, and a social commentator. As influenced by the Harlem Renaissance as he was by the Civil Rights Movement, Brown…
Born 0027;s book agent); Education: University of Texas, B.A. (theatre), 1988. Hobbies and other interests: People watching, touring New York City. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Delacorte Press, Dell Publishing, 1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036. Novelist and freelance writer. Penguin Putnam, New York, NY, former member of publicity department staff; Spier (advertising agency), New York, NY, membe…
Born 1953, in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, England; Education: Attended East Anglia University. Hobbies and other interests: Squash, rugby, swimming, sailing, basketball, soccer, yoga, reading, listening to music. Agent—Caroline Walsh, David Higham Associates Ltd., 5-8 Lower John St., Golden Square, London W1F 9HA, England. Worked in the forestry and the timber trade; spent seven years as a teache…
Born 1938, in Amersfoort, The Netherlands; Brandis. Education: Attended University of British Columbia, 1956-58, and St. Francis Xavier University, 1958-59; McMaster University, B.A., 1960, M.A., 1964. Hobbies and other interests: Walking, reading, music, history, family archives. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Penumbra Press, P.O. Box 940, Manotick, Ontario K4M 1A8, Canada. Marianne Brandis …
Born 1946, in Sheffield, England; Education: Leeds College of Art, B.A. (with honors), 1967. Hobbies and other interests: Reading, music, theater, films, swimming, tennis, squash, cricket. Anthony Browne Victoria University of Manchester, Manchester, England, medical artist at Royal Infirmary, 1968-70; Gordon Fraser Greeting Cards, London, England, designer, 1971-88; author and illustrator …
Born 1963, in Lebanon, PA; Education: Millersville University, B.S., 1988; Pennsylvania State University, Harrisburg, M.Ed., 1995. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Perfection Learning, 1000 N. Second Ave., P. O. Box 500, Logan, IA 51546-0500. St. Joan of Arc School, Hershey, PA, computer teacher and technology coordinator, 1998-2004; writer. Roberto's Bat, Perfection Learning (Logan, IA), 200…
Born 1937, in Newark, NJ; Education: College of New Jersey, B.S., 1959; Kean University, M.A., 1990, M.A., 1992. Bridgewater-Raritan School District, Bridgewater, NJ, classroom teacher, 1959-61; Scotch Plains-Fanwood School District, Scotch Plains, NJ, classroom teacher, 1972-85, curriculum facilitator, 1985-92, member of school district staff development team, 1985-95, classroom teacher, 1992-…
(Nicola Matthews, Nicky Matthews Browne) Born 1960, in Burnley, Lancashire, England; Education: New College, Oxford, B.A. (philosophy and theology; with honors), 1983; Kings College, Cambridge, P.G.C.E.; Manchester Business School, M.B.A., 1987. Politics: "Liberal/Left." Religion: Church of England (Anglican). Hobbies and other interests: "Singing (badly), walking, rowing a Th…
1964(?)— Opera singer Brown, Angela M., photograph. AP/Wide World Photos. Shimmering, mesmerizing, soaring—these are just a few of the adjectives lavished on the voice of Angela M. Brown. An operatic sensation who has commanded standing ovations from the world's most famous stages, Brown came to opera almost as an afterthought. "I never wanted to be what I would …
1896-1977 Judge, attorney, civil rights activist Considered the father of the Pennsylvania state Fair Employment Practices Act and the first African-American judge in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Homer S. Brown was a civil and political rights activist for most of his life. For over fifty years, from the time he received his law degree in 1923 until illness forced him to retire two years before his d…
Born 1950, in Ogden, UT; Education: University of New Mexico, B.F. A., 1972; attended Art Institute of Boston, 1983-84. Hobbies and other interests: Collecting picture books, reading, biking, downhill skiing. Illustrator and author. Illustration instructor at Art Institute of Boston and Peabody Essex Museum. Speaker at elementary and middle school; presenter and lecturer at conferences. Exhibition…
Born 1937, in Perth, Australia; Ethnicity: "Caucasian." Education: University of West Australia, B.A., 1957. Hobbies and other interests: Gardening. West Australian, Perth, Western Australia, journalist, 1958-60; Herald-Sun Television, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, journalist, 1961; writer, 1978—. Errol Broome Australian Society of Authors, Fellowship of Australian Wr…
Nationality: American. Born: Cleveland, Ohio, 1922. Education: Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine, B.A. 1947. Military Service: Served in the American Field Service, 1942-44, and in the United States Army, 1944-46. Career: Instructor at the Writers Workshop, 1957-58, and associate professor, 1960-64, 1966-67, 1971-72, University of Iowa, Iowa City; visiting professor, 1977-78, and professor, 1980-8…
Born 1946, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Education: Carleton University, B.A., 1968; University of Toronto, 1969, B.L.S.; Conestoga College, 1995, Dip. Journalism. Religion: Anglican. Hobbies and other interests: Reading, textile arts. Office—University of Waterloo, 100 University Ave. W., Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada. Writer. University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, publicati…
(Kathy Brown) Born 1955, in Twin Falls, ID; children: Frances. Agent—Ginger Knowlton, Curtis Brown Agency, 10 Astor Place, New York, NY 10003. Illustrator and author. Notable Book citation, American Library Association, Outstanding Children's Book of the Year, Parenting, Joan Fassler Memorial Book Award, Association for the Care of Children's Health, and Washington Children&#x…
Nationality: British. Born: Calcutta, India, 1924. Education: Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Crediton, Devon; Pembroke College, Oxford (editor, Isis), 1948-51; St. Antony's College, Oxford (Frere Exhibitioner in Indian Studies), 1951-53, M.A. in modern history 1953; Ohio State University, Columbus, 1952-53. Military Service: Served in the Mahratha Light Infantry, 1943-47: Captain.…
Nationality: Canadian. Born: Keremeos, British Columbia, 1935. Education: University of British Columbia, B.A. 1960, M.A. 1963; also studied at University of Western Ontario. Military Service: Aerial photographer, Royal Canadian Air Force, 1954-57. Career: Instructor and later assistant professor, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, 1963-66; instructor and writer-in-residence, Sir George Will…
Nationality: British. Born: William Andrew Murray Boyd, Accra, Ghana, 1952. Education: Gordonstoun School, Elgin, Morayshire; University of Nice, France, diploma 1971; University of Glasgow, M.A. (honours) in English and philosophy 1975; Jesus College, Oxford, 1975-80. Family: Married Susan Anne Wilson in 1975. Career: Lecturer in English, St. Hilda's College, Oxford, 1980-83. Television c…
Nationality: Irish. Born: Dublin, 1948. Education: Convent schools in Dublin. Career: editor, Young Woman, Dublin, 1969-71; staff feature writer, Dublin Evening Press, 1973-78; editor, Image, Dublin, 1981-84. Regular book reviewer and feature writer for Sunday Times, London, Irish Times, Dublin, Evening Standard, London, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Guardian, London, Cosmopolitan, Vogue,…
Nationality: American. Born: 2 December 1948. Education: State University of New York, Potsdam, B.A. in English and history 1968; University of Iowa, Iowa City, M.F.A. in fiction 1974, Ph.D. in British literature 1977. Career: Assistant professor, 1978-82, associate professor, 1982-86, and since 1986 professor of English, University of Southern California, Los Angeles. Awards: Coordinating Council…
Nationality: British. Born: Sheffield, Yorkshire, 1932. Education: West Bridgford Grammar School, Nottingham, 1943-50; University College, Leicester, 1950-53, B.A. in English (1st class honours) 1953; Queen Mary College, University of London (research scholar), 1953-55, M.A. in English 1955; Indiana University, Bloomington (English-Speaking Union fellow), 1955-56; University of Manchester, 1956-58…
Nationality: American. Born: Waukegan, Illinois, 1920. Education: Los Angeles High School, graduated 1938. Career: Since 1943 full-time writer. President, Science-Fantasy Writers of America, 1951-53. Member of the Board of Directors, Screen Writers Guild of America, 1957-61. Lives in Los Angeles. Awards: O. Henry prize, 1947, 1948; Benjamin Franklin award, 1954; American Academy award, 1954; Boys&…
Nationality: American. Born: Bedford, Pennsylvania, 1950. Education: Bedford Area High School, graduated 1968; University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (Franklin scholar, Presidential scholar), 1968-72, B.A. (summa cum laude) in creative writing 1972; King's College, University of London (Thouron scholar), 1972-74, M.A. in area studies 1974. Career: Reader and assistant editor, J.B. Lippinc…
Nationality: American. Born: Opelousas, Louisiana, 1958. Education: Louisiana State University, B.A. 1980. Career: Staff writer, Washington Post, 1983-87; contributing writer, Washington Post, 1988-89. Since 1991 contributing editor, Esquire; since 1993 contributing writer, Sports Illustrated. Agent: Esther Newberg, International Creative Management, 40 West 57th St., New York, New York 10019, U.…
Nationality: British. Born: Carlisle, Cumberland, 1939. Education: Nelson-Thomlinson Grammar School, Wigton, Cumberland, 1950-58; Wadham College, Oxford, 1958-61, M.A. (honours) in modern history 1961. Career: With BBC Television and Radio from 1961: general trainee, 1961-62; producer on Monitor, 1963; for BBC 2 editor on New Release (later Review, then Arena), Writers World, and Take It or Leave …
Nationality: British. Born: Sasthibrata Chakravarti in Calcutta, India, 1939. Education: Calcutta Boys School; Presidency College, Calcutta University. Career: Has worked in Europe as a lavatory attendant, kitchen porter, barman, air-conditioning engineer, and postman, and in New York as a freelance journalist; London columnist, Statesman, 1977-80. Awards: Arts Council grant, 1979. Agent: Barbara …
Nationality: South African. Born: Vrede, Orange Free State, 1935. Education: Lydenburg High School; Potchefstroom University, Transvaal, B.A. 1955, M.A. in English 1958, M.A. in Afrikaans and Dutch 1959; the Sorbonne, Paris, 1959-61. Career: Lecturer, 1963-73, senior lecturer, 1974-75, associate professor, 1976-79, and professor, 1980-90, Department of Afrikaans and Dutch Literature, Rhodes Univer…
1926— Economist Brimmer, Andrew F., photograph. AP/Wide World Photos. Reproduced by permission. The first black man to be named a governor of the Federal Reserve System, Andrew F. Brimmer is a noted economist who heads his own successful Washington consulting firm, Brimmer & Co., Inc., and is considered a specialist in federal reserve monetary policy. He is also a frequent com…
Nationality: Jamaican. Born: Woodside, St. Mary, Jamaica, 1940. Education: University College of the West Indies, London, 1960-63, B.A. (honours) in history 1963; University of Washington, Seattle, (Ford Foundation fellowship), 1967; University College of the West Indies, Kingston, M.Sc. in sociology 1968, Ph.D. in history 1985; University of Sussex, (Commonwealth fellowship), 1979. Career: Lectur…
Nationality: British. Born: Geneva, Switzerland. Education: Somerville College, Oxford, 1946-49, B.A. in English, M.A. 1953; University College, London, 1950-54, B.A. in French, Ph.D. 1954. Career: Freelance literary journalist, London, 1956-68; Maître de Conférences, 1969-75, and professeur, 1975-88, University of Paris VIII, Vincennes. Awards: Society of Authors traveling prize, 1965; …
Nationality: British. Born: London, 1928. Education: James Allen's Girls' School; King's College, University of London; Courtauld Institute of Art, London, Ph.D. in art history. Career: Visiting lecturer, University of Reading, Berkshire, 1959-64; lecturer, 1964, and reader, 1977-88, Courtauld Institute of Art; Slade Professor, Cambridge University, 1967-68. Fellow, New Hall, …
Nationality: American. Born: Hanover, Pennsylvania, 1944. Education: University of Florida, Gainesville; New York University, B.A. 1968; New York School of Visual Arts, cinematography certificate 1968; Institute for Policy Studies, Washington, D.C., Ph.D. 1976. Career: Photo editor, Sterling Publishing Company, New York, 1969-70; lecturer in sociology, Federal City College, Washington, D.C., 1970-…
Nationality: American. Born: 1939. Career: Instructor in American and English literature, Tougaloo College, Mississippi, 1965-67; instructor in creative writing, Goddard College, Plainfield, Vermont, 1976, and University of Houston, Texas, 1982-85. Since 1989 instructor in creative writing, University of Houston. Visiting professor of creative writing, Boston University, 1977-78. Awards: National …
Nationality: American. Born: New York, New York, 1945. Education: Oswego State University, B.A. 1968. Though he may not be prolific, Wesley Brown is certainly a proficient author and his two novels Tragic Magic and Darktown Strutters offer virtuoso proof of his talents. While both works explore issues of racial injustice roiling beneath the surface of white America, it is the seismic and shifting…
Born 1929, in Wildwood Crest, NJ; Education: Graduated from Philadelphia Museum School of Art (now Philadelphia College of Art), 1951. Hobbies and other interests: Macrame, weaving, music, baking, traveling, reading, gardening, theater, films, museums. Muralist and commercial artist in Philadelphia, PA, and New York, NY, 1951-56, and in Zurich, Switzerland, 1957-60; commercial artist, writer, and …
Born in Alexandria, VA; Education: Hampton University, B.A. (sociology). Agent—c/o Author Mail, Orchard Books/Scholastic Books, 557 Broadway, New York NY 10012. Author of children's books. Worked as a reporter for Providence Journal, Providence, RI, and Lexington Herald, Lexington, KY, and Courier Journal, Louisville, KY; staff writer for National Geographic, Washington, DC. America…
Surname rhymes with "method"; born 1957, in Encino, CA; Education: University of Texas at Austin, B.A., 1979. Politics: "Middle-winger." Agent—Esther Newberg, ICM, 40 West 57th St., New York, NY 10019. Cartoonist and writer. University of Texas at Austin, photographer and columnist for Daily Texan (university newspaper), 1976–78; freelance cartoonist, 1978…
