National Library Week

This National Library Week, take some time to appreciate the people who help make libraries such a special place: librarians! Today we'll highlight a famous local librarian: Louis Round Wilson. Literary Map fans who live in Chapel Hill might have heard his name before, seeing as Wilson Library on UNC Chapel Hill's campus was named in his honor.

Wilson was born in Lenoir, North Carolina in 1876. He was raised by two teachers, and was one day expected to choose it as his profession. While he did go on to work as a professor at various points in his life, librarianship was his true calling. In 1901, he was hired as a librarian at UNC, where he pursued his master's degree in English and was later awarded a PhD. He was offered the chance to move on from his position in 1906, but declined the chance in order to remain dedicated to improving UNC's collections.

He was a firm believer in the value of libraries, eventually helping found the North Carolina Library Association in 1904, which improved the situation of libraries throughout the state. Wilson was an influential member of the Southeastern Library Association, and served as its president from 1924 to 1926.

During this period he pushed for the construction of a new library on UNC's campus, as the then-current one could not support its students' needs. In 1929, the library was finished mere days before the stock market crash. Despite the obvious struggles it faced in the years to come, it survived and even expanded its collection through the crisis via financial donations. For some time, this library went nameless, only referred to as "the library" until 1956, when it was renamed in honor of Wilson, its first librarian. Today it serves as the home of UNC's special collections and archives.

Wilson's accomplishments were so numerous that it is difficult summarizing them in one short blog post, which speaks to how important he was to librarianship in North Carolina. He served as the first dean of UNC's Library Science school, and continued to work in libraries until his retirement. You can read a complete summary of Louis Round Wilson's work at the NC Literary Map. If you're interested in learning more about the man himself, his papers can be found at Wilson Library.

The next time you visit your library, keep in mind Wilson's lifelong dedication to North Carolina libraries, and thank your local librarian!

NCPedia

Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou is one of America's most acclaimed authors and poets, known best for her autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, which details her early years. She was born in Missouri in 1928, her parents gave her the name Marguerite Johnson, but it was her older brother Bailey Jr. that gave her the name we know her by. "Maya" was a name derived from years of him calling him "mya sister." She spent her early years being raised by her father in Stamps, Arkansas or at her mother's home in St. Louis. After a traumatic event in her youth, she went mute for a number of years, but it was during this time that she fostered a passion for literature. Her teacher, Mrs. Bertha Flowers, introduced her to literary greats, including black women writers.

Her early work was not as a writer, but an eclectic group of jobs ranging from dancer to street car conductor before she began to involve herself in the Civil Rights Movement. She worked as a coordinator for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and worked as a freelance writer and teacher in Africa. It was upon her return to the United States in the 1960s that she wrote I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, the first of six autobiographies which chronicle her life. It faced controversy in its day for its portrayal of race and violence, but inspired other black women writers to pen their own stories.

In 1981, Maya Angelou returned to the southern United States. She moved to Winston-Salem to teach at Wake Forest University, where she dedicated herself to education. Her writing pursuits did not end with her teaching career, however, and in the intervening years she directed movies, wrote novels and poetry, and more. She was chosen to recite her poem "On the Pulse of Morning" at Bill Clinton's 1993 inauguration and was awarded the Medal of Presidential Freedom in 2010, the highest honor a civilian can attain. She lived the rest of her life in Winston-Salem, dying in her home there in 2014. To this day her works are inspirations to countless creators, and her influence can still be felt in popular music and literature.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and Maya Angelou's other novels can be found at your local library or bookstore. If you prefer poetry to prose, collections such as And Still I Rise or Phenomenal Women, among others, are also available. You can find a complete list of Maya Angelou's works at the NC Literary Map!

Jan Karon

Jan Karon was born and raised in Lenoir, North Carolina. From an early age she had a keen interest in writing, having penned her first book by the time she was ten. After moving around the United States, she eventually settled in Blowing Rock, where she was inspired to begin writing weekly stories about an Episcopal priest named Tim Kavanagh. These stories eventually became her first published novel: At Home in Mitford.

At Home in Mitford was just the beginning of Father Tim's adventures. Karon has gone on to publish fourteen novels about him and the fictional town of Mitford. Mitford was based on the town of Blowing Rock, North Carolina, a mountainous town and the perfect location for Karon's character-driven novels. Fans of the Mitford Years are invited to view the literary map's walking tour of Blowing Rock, which maps out the town through the eyes of Father Tim. Discover the real local businesses and parks which inspired Jan Karon, and learn more about a proud entry to North Carolina's literary heritage.

For those who haven't had the chance to experience Jan Karon's work can find At Home in Mitford and her other books at your local library or bookstore!

Pauli Murray

Before Black History Month ends, the North Carolina Literary Map would like to highlight the life and activism of Pauli Murray. Born in 1910, Murray was a civil rights activist whose activism preceded much of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s. She was born in Baltimore, but was raised in Durham, North Carolina. After leaving the state to attend school up at Columbia University, she returned when she attempted to apply to then-segregated University of North Carolina.

She was rejected, and in response wrote letters to President Roosevelt and other officials in protest. A few years later she and a female partner were arrested for sitting in the whites-only section of a bus. Both of these cases were considered by the NAACP, but ultimately the organization pulled out of representing her. Some speculate this was due in part to the fact that Murray had open romantic relationships with women and dressed in masculine clothing, occasionally presenting as a man. Despite resistance, Murray went on to become the first black deputy attorney general in California. Her critique of state segregation and the “separate but equal” facilities later influenced the court case Brown vs Board of Education. In addition to her contributions to black civil rights, she founded the National Organization for Women (NOW) in 1966.

Murray had been excluded from the discussion of the Civil Rights Movement and Feminist Movement, but there has been a recent resurgence of her interest in her and her work. In addition to her activism, she was an author and poet. You can read about her family history in the book Proud Shoes, which describes the lives of her ancestors who lived and worked in Durham. Fans of poetry can read her poems in Dark Testament and Other Poems. Those interested in learning more about Murray herself are invited to check out Song in a Weary Throat, an autobiography, or the oral history interviews available online via the “Oral Histories of the American South Project.”  

Harriet Ann Jacob's 206th Birthday

Today, February 11th, is the birthday of abolitionist Harriet Ann Jacobs. She is best known for her moving autobiography, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl. Her book, first published under the name “Linda Brent,” tells the story of the sexual abuse she suffered as the slave of Dr. James Norcom and her life after her escape.

For years after her escape, she hid in the home of her grandmother, Molly Horniblow, before finally fleeing North Carolina in 1842, eventually ending up in New York. She was later reunited with her children, and much of Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl recounted her attempts to free them.

Jacobs used her story to promote the abolitionist movement. Her book was one of the first to discuss the plight of female slaves, and was written to sway the hearts of Northern white women. After the publication of her book she continued to advocate for black Americans both in the United States and overseas. During the Civil War she nursed black soldiers by her daughter’s side, and after raised money for refugees from slavery.

More about her story and legacy can be found within the pages of Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl. Visitors to Edenton, North Carolina can tour sites from her early life, including the site where Molly Horniblow's house once stood.

North Carolina Cooking

Thanksgiving is coming up fast, have you decided what you're serving this year? If not, why not consider some North Carolina recipes?

The NC Literary Map has a genre dedicated to Carolina cooking, where you can find special recipes from the mountains to the coast. You could try out Mama Dip's Kitchen, a cookbook written by famed cook Mildred Council. It features over 250 recipes, with everything from old-fashioned Southern chicken pie to traditional desserts. Or consider Victuals: An Appalachian Journey by Ronni Lundi, which features a collection of Appalachian recipes as well as information about the history and culture of the region.

You can find dozens of North Carolina cookbooks at the NC Literary Map which are sure to inspire your inner chef. If one looks promising, check it out at your local bookstore or library. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Haunted North Carolina

Happy Halloween to our NC Literary Map followers!

Regardless of how you spend your Halloween, ghost stories are always an excellent way to get into the Halloween spirit. North Carolina is home to dozens of ghost stories, and one of the most persistent tales is the story of Lydia, the Phantom Hitchhiker. According to local tales, she haunted the stretch of road along the US 70-A south of Jamestown. Legend tells that she would ask for a ride home, and if accepted, would disappear upon reaching her destination.

For years this story has been passed around, and now authors Michael Renegar and Amy Greer explore the truth behind the tale. Uncover the story that lurks behind the legend with Looking for Lydia: The Thirty-Year Search for the Jamestown Hitchhiker today, and discover more ghost stories set in North Carolina at the North Carolina Literary Map.

F. Scott Fitzgerald's 112nd Birthday

Monday, September 24th, was F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 112nd birthday. Best known for his classic book, The Great Gatsby, those who haven’t had the chance to visit Western Carolina may not know that Fitzgerald had ties to our state.

During the summers of 1935 and 1936, Fitzgerald stayed in Asheville, North Carolina to rest after contracting tuberculosis. Western Carolina had become a popular destination for such getaways, as the mountain air was thought to be good for the lungs. Fitzgerald stayed at the renown Grove Park Inn, and rented out two rooms: one for working, the other for writing. The summers spent there were a low period in his life. Fitzgerald was reportedly trying to cure his addiction to gin with what was known as the “beer cure,” and wrote short stories to pay debts and bills. One story written at that time, “I’d Die for You (The Legend of Lake Lure),” was set in Western NC and featured a young actress who had come to the area to star in a movie. He left North Carolina in 1937, heading west to Hollywood with the hopes of reigniting his career. His wife, Zelda, remained in the southeast, traveling between Asheville’s Highland Hospital for treatment and her mother’s home in Montgomery, Alabama.

"I'd Die for You (The Legend of Lake Lure)" and other lesser-known Fitzgerald short stories can be read in the book I'd Die for You: And Other Lost Stories. Find it and other Fitzgerald classics at your local bookstore or library. The North Carolina Literary Map also now features a tour of Fitzgerald’s life in Western NC, that may serve as a guide for tourists or may be explored virtually. Discover more about our state's literary heritage today!

LGBT Pride Month

June is LGBT Pride Month! It was first officially recognized by President Bill Clinton in 1999, the month of June was chosen to commemorate the Stonewall Riots, a pivotal moment in American LGBT History.

This month we would like to highlight the life and works of Bertha Harris. Bertha Harris was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina in 1936. She studied at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and moved to New York City in the 1960s, but her work has often been inspired by her experiences in the South.

Harris’ writing is defined by her inventive and experimental narrative styles. Her first novel, Catching Saradove, is the most rooted in convention. The novel is set in New York City and North Carolina, and is semi-autobiographical, exploring the themes of feminism and other social movements that permeated the 1960s. Her most ambitious work, however, is considered to be the novel Lover. Lover is a postmodernist work that rejects narrative for an experimental style. It has themes of radical lesbian philosophy and features characters both fictional and historical.

Those interested in lesbian and feminist fiction will find her works revealing and engaging. She is very highly regarded by critics and her work resonates with contemporary and modern feminists alike. Harris died in 2005, at the time she had been working on her fourth novel, a comedy entitled Mi Contra Fa. Although this novel was unfortunately never published, you can find Harris’ other works at your local bookstore or library. Celebrate Pride Month by supporting the work of local LGBT authors, and learning about their experiences through their writing.

Happy birthday, Fred Chappell!

Monday, May 28th was the birthday of North Carolina poet of Fred Chappell. He was born in 1936 in the small town of Canton, North Carolina. He earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees at Duke University, and spent a significant portion of his teaching career at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Fred Chappell is a prolific author, having written over twenty-five books and amassed a collection of local and national awards. He had a five year tenure as the Poet Laureate of North Carolina. Having written everything from Lovecraftian horror to domestic fiction, readers are bound to find a work of his that calls to them.

I Am One of You Forever is a novel about a boy named Jess growing up in Western North Carolina during World War II. It is a coming of age story with an eccentric cast of characters, each with their own story to tell. Another book by Chappell, Dagon, is also set in North Carolina, but could not be more different a tale. It is a Southern Gothic horror that plays on the Cthulhu mythos. Dagon follows the story of Peter Leland, a preacher who inherits his grandparents' farmhouse and soon finds dark secrets hidden in the world around him. Find these books, or any of the other many Fred Chappell works, at your local bookstore or library! You're sure to find something just for you.

NC Lit Map at NC Writers' Network Conference

Greetings!  On November 4th, the North Carolina Literary Map had a wonderful time meeting people at the Fall 2017 NC Writers' Network Conference held in Wrightsville Beach, NC.  What fun it was to speak with NC authors!  We enjoyed seeing plenty of awesome faces both old and new!  A great time was had by all!

NC Lit Map at the Bookmarks Festival!

Greetings!  On September 9th, the North Carolina Literary Map had a wonderful time telling folks all about us at the Bookmarks Festival in Winston-Salem, NC.  We got to see plenty of awesome faces and meet lots of authors!  Nice!

Us at NC Writers' Network Spring Conference!

Greetings!  On Saturday, April 22, the North Carolina Literary Map had a wonderful time hanging out at the Spring 2017 NC Writers' Network Conference held in Greensboro, NC.  What fun it was to speak with NC authors!  We enjoyed seeing plenty of awesome faces both old and new.  A great time was had by all!  📕📗📘📙📚📖

NC Lit Map at NC Writers' Network Conference

Greetings!  On November 5th, the North Carolina Literary Map had a wonderful time meeting authors at the Fall 2016 NC Writers' Network Conference held in Raleigh, NC.  We enjoyed seeing plenty of awesome faces both old and new!  A great time was had by all!

The 2016 North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame Ceremony

Congratulations!  On Sunday, October 16th, Margaret Maron, Clyde Edgerton, and Carl Sandburg were inducted into the North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame.  Members of the North Carolina Literary Map team attended the wonderful event held at the Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities in Southern Pines.  A great time was had by all!

NC Lit Map at the Bookmarks Festival!

Greetings!  On September 10th, the North Carolina Literary Map had a wonderful time handing out tote bags and telling folks all about us at the Bookmarks Festival in Winston-Salem, NC.  We got to see plenty of awesome faces and meet lots of authors!  How cool is that?

Congratulations North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame Inductees

The North Carolina Literary Map would like to send a hardy congratulations to the 2016 North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame Inductees: Clyde Edgerton, Margaret Maron, and Carl Sandburg.  The Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives have the Margaret Maron Papers on long-term loan.  The papers contain correspondence and newspaper clippings as well as drafts of Maron's amazing mystery novels.  For more information on the inductees, please see the North Carolina Writer's Network.

Margaret Maron

Clyde Edgerton

Carl Sandburg

NC Lit Map and friends at the Bookmarks Festival!

Hi all:

The NC Lit Map had a great time handing out tote bags and telling folks about the North Carolina Literary Map at the Bookmarks Festival in Winston-Salem, NC, on September 12th.

We happened to have a table right next to our friends at the NC Writer's Network.  How awesome was that!

NC Poet Laureate to speak at UNCG

Missed the Launch?

No worries!

If you were unable to join us for the official launch of the North Carolina Literary Map you can view the recorded session by clicking on the web address below. Once you have clicked the link, you will be prompted to sign in with your name and email. After submitting that information, the recorded session will load and be ready to go.

If you have any questions or feedback contact us at nclitmap@uncg.edu.

https://sas.elluminate.com/site/external/launch/nativeplayback.jnlp?sid=315&psid=2012-10-24.1249.M.669FDEC58C8549C611C2EC64F0EDEE.vcr