Ann Waldron facts for kids

Ann Wood Waldron (born December 14, 1924 – died July 2, 2010) was an American writer. She wrote many different kinds of books. First, she wrote for kids and young adults. Later, she wrote true stories about authors from the Southern United States. When she was older, she started writing mystery novels. These mysteries were often set at Princeton University.

Growing Up

Ann Wood was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on December 14, 1924. She went to West End High School there. In 1945, she earned a degree in journalism from the University of Alabama. While in college, she was the editor of the school newspaper, The Crimson White.

After college, she worked for The Atlanta Constitution. There, she met her future husband, Martin Waldron. She also wrote for Progressive Farmer, a magazine about country life. She reported on state government for The Tampa Tribune. Later, she became a book editor for the Houston Chronicle.

Her Books

Ann Waldron wrote many books during her career. She started by writing for younger readers.

Books for Young People

Her first books came out in 1975. One was The House on Pendleton Block. This story is about a girl who moves to Texas. She explores a mysterious house her family lives in. Another book was The Integration of Mary-Larkin Thornhill. This book tells about a girl who is one of only two white students in a newly integrated school. This means the school had recently started allowing students of all races to attend together.

Writing Biographies

Later, Ann Waldron started writing biographies. These are true stories about people's lives. In 1987, she wrote Close Connections: Caroline Gordon and the Southern Renaissance. This book was about an author from the Southern United States.

Her 1993 book, Hodding Carter: The Reconstruction of a Racist, was very important. It told the story of a newspaper editor from Mississippi. The book showed how he changed his views over time. The New York Times called it a "Notable Book of the Year." They said it showed the challenges he faced for questioning old ideas about fairness.

She also wrote a biography of Eudora Welty. This famous author did not help Waldron write the book. The 1998 book, Eudora: A Writer's Life, was praised by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. They said Waldron wrote a fair and careful account, even without Welty's help.

Mystery Novels

When she was 78 years old, Ann Waldron started a new type of writing. She began writing a series of mystery novels. These stories were about a newspaperwoman who solves crimes. The mysteries were often set at Princeton University.

Later Life

Ann Waldron passed away on July 2, 2010. She was 85 years old. She died at her home in Princeton, New Jersey. Her husband, Martin Waldron, had passed away earlier in 1981. He was a Pulitzer Prize winner. At the time of his death, he was a bureau chief for The New York Times. Ann Waldron was survived by her daughter, three sons, eight grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.