Florence King facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Florence King
Born	Florence Virginia King (1936-01-05)January 5, 1936 Washington, D.C., US
Died	January 6, 2016(2016-01-06) (aged 80) Fredericksburg, Virginia, U.S.
Education	American University
Occupation	Columnist essayist novelist

Florence Virginia King (January 5, 1936 – January 6, 2016) was an American writer. She was known for her novels, essays, and newspaper columns.

Florence King often wrote about the American South. Later in her career, she wrote for National Review magazine. Her column, "The Misanthrope's Corner," was famous for its sharp and witty opinions. She was known for sharing her strong views on many topics.

Early Life of Florence King

Florence King was born on January 5, 1936, in Washington, D.C.. Her mother was American, and her father was British. She grew up in Washington, D.C., with her parents, grandmother, and her grandmother's maid. These family members helped shape her personality and ideas.

Her grandmother especially taught her to have high standards. She would say their family came from important people in colonial Virginia. Florence King often wrote about the funny differences between her family's simple life and her grandmother's fancy ways.

Education and Early Interests

In 1957, Florence King earned a bachelor's degree in history from American University in Washington, D.C. She also joined a history honor society called Phi Alpha Theta. She later studied at the University of Mississippi for a master's degree. However, she found she could make a living as a writer, so she did not finish her degree.

Florence King's Writing Career

Before becoming a full-time writer, Florence King had several jobs. In the mid-1950s, she taught history in Suitland, Maryland. Later, she worked as a file clerk. From 1964 to 1967, she was a feature writer for the Raleigh News and Observer newspaper. While there, she won an award for her reporting.

Most of King's books were non-fiction essays. She also wrote a historical romance novel called Barbarian Princess. She used the pseudonym (a pen name) Laura Buchanan for this book.

Famous Columns and Books

Florence King became well-known for her column "The Misanthrope's Corner" in National Review. This was a conservative magazine that shared political and social opinions. She also wrote many articles for The American Enterprise.

Her first book published under her own name was Southern Ladies and Gentlemen in 1975. This book was a funny guide to the South for people from other parts of the country. Her most popular book, Confessions of a Failed Southern Lady (1985), was partly about her own life. It talked about her grandmother's efforts to make her a "Southern lady."

Later Career and Retirement

In 1995, Florence King said that another writer, Molly Ivins, had copied some of her work. Molly Ivins publicly said sorry for her mistake.

Florence King lived in Fredericksburg, Virginia, in her later years. She retired from writing in 2002. National Review then published a collection of her columns called STET, Damnit!. However, she started writing again in 2006. She wrote a new monthly column for National Review called "The Bent Pin." In 2006, a selection of her book reviews and articles was released as Deja Reviews: Florence King All Over Again.

Death

Florence King passed away on January 6, 2016. She died one day after her 80th birthday. Her death was caused by heart and lung-related illnesses.

Works