Name Francis Gwaltney Role Author | Movies Between Heaven and Hell | |
Died February 27, 1981, Conway, Arkansas, United States Spouse Emma Carolyn Calhoun (m. 1947–1981) Books The Day the Century Ended, Destiny's Chickens, Idols and Axle Grease Similar People Richard Fleischer, Hugo Friedhofer, Harry Brown | ||
Book 18 | Destiny's Chickens
Francis Irby Gwaltney (born 9 September 1921 in Traskwood, Arkansas died 27 February 1981) was a prolific Southern American author. He was the most well known author to have set his books in Arkansas.
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Biography
After his father, Dr. Boulanger Gwaltney (M.D.), died, Gwaltney was raised in Charleston, Arkansas.
During World War II, he served with the 112th Cavalry in the Philippines Campaign (1944–45) where he met Norman Mailer.
Returning to Arkansas after the war, Gwaltney obtained his high school diploma, then earned a degree in English from the University of Arkansas. He married Emma Carolyn Calhoun on 19 AUG 1947, earned a Masters in English in 1950 and taught at various schools.
He wrote his first novel The Yeller-Headed Summer with help of his war buddy, Norman Mailer. His most famous novel based on his war experiences was The Day the Century Ended that was filmed as Between Heaven and Hell.
Gwaltney wrote teleplays for Alfred Hitchcock Presents and The Fugitive.