Thursday Thirteen #43: Wisconsin Writers

Some were born here, some moved here later in life. Some are well-known, others more obscure. In any case, here are Thirteen Writers from Wisconsin.

1. August Derleth ~ Sauk City, Wis. native born in 1909 and died 1971; Sold first story at age 16 and published 150 books; 40 more manuscripts recently discovered; founder of Arkham House in1937 to publish works of H.P. Lovecraft.

2. Sterling North ~ Born in Edgerton, Wis. in 1906, died in NJ in 1974; known for such works as Rascal, Raccoons are the Brightest People, Mark Twain and the River, and more than 20 others.

3. Zona Gale ~ Born in Portage, Wis in 1874; Set many of her stories in "Friendship Village," a town fashioned after Portage. Noted works include Miss Lulu Bett and Selected Stories and The Secret Way. She won the Pulitzer in 1921 for her play Miss Lulu Bett.

4. Marshall Cook ~ Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (writing), and author of the Monona Quinn mysteries and numerous nonfiction works.

5. Kevin Henkes ~ Children's writer and illustrator from Racine, Wis. and winner of the 2005 Caldecott Medal for Kitten's First Full Moon. He's probably most well-known for his mouse books, such as Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse and Lilly's Chocolate Heart.

6. Aldo Leopold ~ Though not born in Wisconsin, he is considered "a true Wisconsin hero" for his work in ecology and conservation. A naturalist and writer, he is best known for A Sand County Almanac. The Aldo Leopold Nature Center and Aldo Leopold Elementary School in Madison are both named for him.

7. Ann Voss Peterson ~ Local romance writer for Harlequin Intrigue. Her next book is out in March, for anyone wondering what to get for my birthday. *grin*

8. Ella Wheeler Wilcox ~ Poet born in Johnstown, Wisconsin in 1850. She is best known for the lines, "Laugh, and the world laughs with you; Weep, and you weep alone; For the sad old earth must borrow its mirth, But has trouble enough of its own," from the poem "Solitude."

9. Frances Wiggins Ford ~ Wrote The Little Engine That Could in 1912. Today it is often attributed to Watty Piper.

10. Ella Augusta Giles ~ Published the first novel by a Wisconsin author, Bachelor Ben, in 1875. In 1878 she cofounded the Madison Literary Club and was librarian of the Madison Free Library (MFL) from 1879-1884. She also campaigned for a hospital to be built in Madison, which was not accomplished until a decade after her initial proposal.

11. Hamlin Garland ~ Born in 1860 in West Salem, Wis., his known works include Main-Travelled Roads, Boy Life on the Prairie and Daughter of the Middle Border, which won the 1922 Pulitzer Prize)

12. Thornton Wilder ~ Playwright born in Madison, Wis. in April 1897 and whose play Our Town won a Pulitzer in 1938 and is performed by hundreds of schools and community theater groups throughout the world annually. His play The Matchmaker was later reincarnated as the Broadway musical Hello, Dolly! His first Pulitzer came in 1927 for the book The Bridge of San Luis Rey.

13. Margaret George ~ An author of historical fiction, George lived and traveled all over the world and US before she and her husband settled in Madison. Popular works include Helen of Troy and Mary Called Magdalene.



Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Tempest Knight * RG * Adelle Laudan * Dana Belfry
Shelley Munro * Gina Ardito * Jennifer McKenzie * Darla
Debbie Mumford * Savannah Chase * Paige Tyler
AJ Chase * Ember Case * Emily Ryan-Davis * Morgan St John

(leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!