She was a non-conformist before that became stylish. Eliza Frances “Fanny” Andrews was born in Washington, Georgia, in 1840. Among the first students to attend LaGrange Female College, she was fluent in both Latin and French. She was fiercely independent. Though her father was a staunch Unionist, Andrews was an equally strong secessionist. As her […]

Tiger Woods hasn’t done it. Jack Nicklaus didn’t do it. But Atlanta’s Bobby Jones did. On this date in 1930, Jones became the first and only golfer to win the Grand Slam: the U.S. Amateur, the U.S. Open, the British Open, and the British Amateur. Born in 1902, Jones learned to play golf at the […]

Vocabulary – MLK’s “I Have a Dream” Speech Eloquent Adjective Having or exercising the power of fluent, forceful, and appropriate speech. Coordinated Verb To organize, plan, put together Allusions Noun A reference to somebody or something Imperatives Noun something that must be done Lyrical Adjective Like poetry or music Cadence Noun Rhythmic flow of a […]

Vocabulary – Caroline Miller Born Pulitzer Prize Noun A prize awarded annually for excellence in American journalism, literature, or music Acclaimed Verb To enthusiastically approve Southern Renaissance Noun The reinvigoration of American Southern literature that began in the 1920s and 1930s with the appearance of writers such as William Faulkner, Caroline Gordon, Elizabeth Madox Roberts, […]

Vocabulary – Conrad Aiken Psychological Adjective Relating to the human mind or mental processes Foundation Noun the basis or groundwork of anything. Posthumous Adjective After death Pulitzer Prize Noun a prize awarded annually for excellence in American journalism, literature, or music Designated Verb marked, noted, or pointed out for an office or position. Poet Laureate […]

Vocabulary – Harry Crews Hailed Verb to praise or approve a person, action, or accomplishment with enthusiasm Bold Adjective willing and eager to face danger or adventure with a sense of confidence and fearlessness Southern Gothic Noun is a subgenre of Gothic fiction unique to American literature that takes place exclusively in the American South. […]

Vocabulary – Flannery O’Connor Literary Adjective relating to literature, writing, or the study of literature Writers Workshop Noun The Iowa Writers’ Workshop is a two-year residency program which culminates in the submission of a creative thesis Rubbed Elbows Verb to associate with someone; to work closely with someone. Diagnosed Verb to identify an illness or […]

Vocabulary – Carson McCullers Literary Genre Noun A category of literature Southern Gothic Noun A genre of fiction that is unique to the American South. The genre usual has supernatural, ironic, or unusual elements Penetrating Adjective apparently able to see or understand things that are hidden Commercial Adjective relating to the buying and selling of […]

Vocabulary – Alice Walker Traumatic Adjective extremely distressing, frightening, or shocking, and sometimes having long-term psychological effects Crippled Noun To crush, impair, or break something Self-confidence Noun Belief in yourself and your own abilities Valedictorian Noun a student in a graduating class who is highest in academic ranking and is usually required to give a […]

Learn More – Ellen and William Craft R. J. M. Blackett, Beating Against the Barriers: Biographical Essays in Nineteenth-Century Afro- American History (Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1986). Sarah Brusky, “The Travels of William and Ellen Craft: Race and Travel Literature in the Nineteenth Century,” Prospects 25 (2000): 177-91. William and Ellen Craft, Running […]