Tennessee Authors
The tradition of Southern writing is strong in Tennessee. Below you can learn about some of Tennessee's favorite authors and writers. If you're a fan of Southern fiction and writing be sure to view our Georgia authors page that includes a list of the South's favorite writers.
William Gay (born 1943)
William Gay spent most of his adult years working a carpenter. However, at the age of 55 he published a short story, I Hate to See That Evening Sun Go Down in the Georgia Review and it quickly caught the eyes of readers and publishers. In 1999, he published his first novel The Long Home which received rave reviews from coast to coast. His second novel, Provinces of the Night has dark humor and reflects his Southern roots.
John Crowe Ransom (April 30, 1888-July 3, 1974)
Born into the home of a Methodist minister, John was brought up in a strict yet open minded household. He began Vanderbilt University at the age of 15 and after graduation went on to study at Oxford. He later return to the states and taught at Vanderbilt and at Ohio’s Kenyon College.
He published 3 books of poetry, but after 1927, he focused primarily on critical writing, being active in a group known as “The Fugitives”. This group worked to preserve the traditional values and forms found in classical writings.
Peter Taylor (January 8, 1917- November 2, 1994)
Born Peter David Hillsman Taylor, this author published his first book in 1948 as a book of short stories. He was a college professor of English for more than 37 years at colleges ranging from North Carolina to Ohio. His peers included Allen Tate, Robert Penn Warren and John Crowe Ransom.
He is best known for his work as a dramatist. His writings appeared in the Southern Review, Kenyon Review, Sewanee Review and the Partisan Review. He received a long list of literary reviews for both his shot stories and novels. His stories and books focus on how people survive and adapt to new environments, all with a bend toward the Southern lifestyle. His works include:
Short stories
- A Long Fourth and Other Stories
- The Widows of Thornton
- Happy Families Are All Alike: A Collection of Stories
- Miss Leonora When Last Seen and Fifteen Other Stories
- The Collected Stories of Peter Taylor
- In the Miro District and Other Stories
- The Old Forest and Other Stories
- The Oracle at Stoneleigh Court
Novels
- A Woman of Means
- A Summons to Memphis
- In the Tennessee Country
Plays
- Tennessee Day in St. Louis
- A Stand in the Mountains
- Presences: Seven Dramatic Pieces
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