Ronald Fair facts for kids

Ronald Lyman Fair (October 27, 1932 – February 2018) was an American writer and sculptor. He was known for his unique and varied writing styles. One of his most famous works was the 1966 novel Hog Butcher. This book was later made into the 1975 film Cornbread, Earl and Me. The film starred Rosalind Cash and Laurence Fishburne. Later in his life, Ronald Fair moved to Finland and started creating sculptures in 1977. In December 1980, he became a Christian and began writing books with Christian themes. He also founded a group called the International Orphans' Assistance Association.

About Ronald Fair

Ronald Fair was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1932. His parents, Herbert and Beulah Hunt Fair, were farmworkers from Mississippi. Ronald went to school in Chicago. After serving three years in the US Navy, he attended the Stenotype School of Chicago. He then worked as a court reporter for 12 years.

His Early Writing Career

Ronald Fair started writing when he was a teenager. He published many pieces in magazines like Chicago Defender and Ebony. His first novel, Many Thousand Gone: An American Fable, was published in 1965. His second novel, Hog Butcher, was later turned into the movie Cornbread, Earl and Me in 1975. In 1970, he published World of Nothing: Two Novellas. In 1972, he wrote an autobiographical novel called We Can't Breathe, which was about his own life.

Moving to Finland

In 1977, Ronald Fair moved to Finland. There, he spent more time on sculpting than on writing. He lived in different cities in Finland, including Helsinki, Tampere, and Kerimäki. He passed away in Finland in February 2014, at the age of 85.

Movies He Worked On

Ronald Fair was involved in several movies. Here are some of them:

• 1968: An American Hero, a film script he wrote for Dino De Laurentiis in Hollywood.
• 1971: Hog Butcher, he wrote two drafts for this film.
• 1975: Cornbread, Earl & Me, a movie based on his novel Hog Butcher.
• 1994: Kirje Suomesta, a music video directed by R. Ampuja.
• 1995: Who Is Your Neighbour, a movie made in Mumbai, India. He wrote and helped produce it.
• 2000: The Truth by P. K. Rajhuns, which he also co-produced.

Plays He Wrote

Ronald Fair also wrote plays that were performed on stage:

• 1968: The Emperor's Parade, also known as Our Boy Dick; A Political Satire, performed in Chicago.
• 1968 & 1969: Sails and Sinkers, a comedy performed in Chicago and at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut.
• 1988: Animal Christmas, a musical performed in Helsinki, Finland.
• 2002: Animal Christmas, performed in Jyväskylä, Finland.
• 2003: Animal Christmas, performed in Kankaanpää, Finland.
• 2008: Animal Christmas, performed in Hyderabad, India.
• 2009: Animal Christmas, performed again in Hyderabad, India.

His Sculptures

After moving to Finland, Ronald Fair spent a lot of time creating sculptures. His artwork included pieces made from wood and bronze.

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  "Jesus Wept", wood, 24 cm

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  "Three Holes"; bronze, 30 cm; Museum Villa Urpo; Ylöjärvi, Finland

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  "Seven Praising Him"; painted wood, 70 X 100; private collection

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  "Praise Him With Stringed Instruments"; painted wood, 25 by 40 cm; private collection

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  "Mother & Child", wood, 90 X 40 cm; Museum Villa Urpo; Ylöjärvi, Finland

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  "Jesus & Two Criminals"; Bronze, 5 meters; Museum Villa Urpo; Ylöjärvi, Finland