A
Algonquin: The Algonquin is a historic hotel in Midtown Manhattan, famous for hosting prominent members of the theater and literary communities. Foote preferred to stay here when he visited New York City.
Alligator, Mississippi: Alligator, Mississippi is a small town in Bolivar County. At the 2010 census, the population was 208 people.
Algonquin: The Algonquin is a historic hotel in Midtown Manhattan, famous for hosting prominent members of the theater and literary communities. Foote preferred to stay here when he visited New York City.
Alligator, Mississippi: Alligator, Mississippi is a small town in Bolivar County. At the 2010 census, the population was 208 people.
B
Bodley Head: Bodley Head is an imprint under the publishing house Vintage.
Burns, Ken: Kenneth "Ken" Burns (b. 1953) is an American documentary filmmaker, most famous for his eleven-hour PBS series on the Civil War, which debuted in September 1990. Foote's interpretation of the Civil War would dominate the Burns series.
Bodley Head: Bodley Head is an imprint under the publishing house Vintage.
Burns, Ken: Kenneth "Ken" Burns (b. 1953) is an American documentary filmmaker, most famous for his eleven-hour PBS series on the Civil War, which debuted in September 1990. Foote's interpretation of the Civil War would dominate the Burns series.
C
CBU: CBU, or Christian Brothers' University, is a university in Memphis, Tennessee, just down the block from Foote's residence. In 1991, Foote accepted an honorary degree from CBU.
CBU: CBU, or Christian Brothers' University, is a university in Memphis, Tennessee, just down the block from Foote's residence. In 1991, Foote accepted an honorary degree from CBU.
D
Delta Queen: First operated in 1927, the Delta Queen is an American river steamboat and National Historic Landmark, which docked in New Orleans from 1985 to 2008. On several occasions, Foote delivered guest lectures aboard the ship as it traveled up the Mississippi River.
Drew, Elizabeth: Elizabeth Drew is an American political journalist and writer who covered the Persian Gulf War.
Delta Queen: First operated in 1927, the Delta Queen is an American river steamboat and National Historic Landmark, which docked in New Orleans from 1985 to 2008. On several occasions, Foote delivered guest lectures aboard the ship as it traveled up the Mississippi River.
Drew, Elizabeth: Elizabeth Drew is an American political journalist and writer who covered the Persian Gulf War.
E
Easton Press: Easton Press is a publishing company that specializes in leather-bound, gold-accented special editions.
Easton Press: Easton Press is a publishing company that specializes in leather-bound, gold-accented special editions.
F
Fellowship of Southern Writers: Founded by in 1987 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the Fellowship of Southern Writers is a literary society of distinguished southern novelists, historians, playwrights, poets, editors, and critics. The fellowship convenes every two years to recognize important contributions of southern writers; in 1999, Foote won the Cleanth Brooks Medal for Distinguished Achievement in Southern Letters.
Foote, Gwyn Rainer Shea: In 1956, Gwyn (1930-2009) married Foote, becoming his third wife and beginning a marriage that lasted until Foote's 2005 death. Huger Foote (b.1963) is Gwyn and Shelby Foote's son.
Foote, Huger "Hugs": Born in 1963, Huger Foote is the son of Shelby Foote and Gwyn Rainer Foote. He currently works as a professional photographer in New York City.
Fellowship of Southern Writers: Founded by in 1987 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the Fellowship of Southern Writers is a literary society of distinguished southern novelists, historians, playwrights, poets, editors, and critics. The fellowship convenes every two years to recognize important contributions of southern writers; in 1999, Foote won the Cleanth Brooks Medal for Distinguished Achievement in Southern Letters.
Foote, Gwyn Rainer Shea: In 1956, Gwyn (1930-2009) married Foote, becoming his third wife and beginning a marriage that lasted until Foote's 2005 death. Huger Foote (b.1963) is Gwyn and Shelby Foote's son.
Foote, Huger "Hugs": Born in 1963, Huger Foote is the son of Shelby Foote and Gwyn Rainer Foote. He currently works as a professional photographer in New York City.
G
Grunwald, Louise & Henry: Austrian-born American journalist Henry Grunwald (1922-2005) fulfilled editorial positions for Time and led the magazine through a period of dramatic change. In 1988, President Reagan appointed him ambassador to Austria; toward the end of his life, Henry Grunwald produced two memoirs and a novel. Louise Melhado Grunwald, a New York businesswoman, married Henry Grunwald in 1987.
Grunwald, Louise & Henry: Austrian-born American journalist Henry Grunwald (1922-2005) fulfilled editorial positions for Time and led the magazine through a period of dramatic change. In 1988, President Reagan appointed him ambassador to Austria; toward the end of his life, Henry Grunwald produced two memoirs and a novel. Louise Melhado Grunwald, a New York businesswoman, married Henry Grunwald in 1987.
H
Harriman, Pamela: English-born American socialite and Democratic Party activist Pamela Harriman (1920-1997) served as the United States Ambassador to France from 1993-1997. She named her only son, Winston Churchill, after his illustrious grandfather.
Hussein, Saddam: Saddam Hussein served as the fifth president of Iraq from 1979 to 2003. Hussein defied the UN Security Council and refused to withdraw from Kuwait in mid-January 1991, spurring U.S. Operation Desert Storm and the Persian Gulf War.
Harriman, Pamela: English-born American socialite and Democratic Party activist Pamela Harriman (1920-1997) served as the United States Ambassador to France from 1993-1997. She named her only son, Winston Churchill, after his illustrious grandfather.
Hussein, Saddam: Saddam Hussein served as the fifth president of Iraq from 1979 to 2003. Hussein defied the UN Security Council and refused to withdraw from Kuwait in mid-January 1991, spurring U.S. Operation Desert Storm and the Persian Gulf War.
I
J
James Davis: James Davis is a men's haberdashery in East Memphis, specializing in formal attire. Currently, the store operates out of the Laurelwood shopping center.
James Davis: James Davis is a men's haberdashery in East Memphis, specializing in formal attire. Currently, the store operates out of the Laurelwood shopping center.
K
L
Loomis, Bob: Robert "Bob" Loomis worked at Random House as an editor from 1957 to 2011. Among other writers, Loomis edited for Maya Angelou, Calvin Trillin, Edmund Morris, and Jonathan Harr. He began working with Foote after Robert Linscott, Foote's original Random House editor, retired in 1957. At this time, Foote was writing the second volume of the narrative.
Love in a Dry Season: Published in 1952, Love in a Dry Season is Foote's third novel, detailing a family drama in fictional Jordan County.
Loomis, Bob: Robert "Bob" Loomis worked at Random House as an editor from 1957 to 2011. Among other writers, Loomis edited for Maya Angelou, Calvin Trillin, Edmund Morris, and Jonathan Harr. He began working with Foote after Robert Linscott, Foote's original Random House editor, retired in 1957. At this time, Foote was writing the second volume of the narrative.
Love in a Dry Season: Published in 1952, Love in a Dry Season is Foote's third novel, detailing a family drama in fictional Jordan County.
M
Mehta, Ajai Singh "Sonny": Sonny Mehta (b. 1942) is currently the editor-in-chief of New York publishing company Alfred A. Knopf. He succeeded Robert Gottlieb in 1987.
Murray, Albert: Born and educated in Alabama, Albert Murray (1916-2013) rose to prominence as a literary critic, essayist, and jazz scholar based in Harlem. Like his friend Ralph Ellison, Murray championed integration and challenged black separatism, contending that the black experience shaped the wider American culture.
Mehta, Ajai Singh "Sonny": Sonny Mehta (b. 1942) is currently the editor-in-chief of New York publishing company Alfred A. Knopf. He succeeded Robert Gottlieb in 1987.
Murray, Albert: Born and educated in Alabama, Albert Murray (1916-2013) rose to prominence as a literary critic, essayist, and jazz scholar based in Harlem. Like his friend Ralph Ellison, Murray championed integration and challenged black separatism, contending that the black experience shaped the wider American culture.
N
New York Round Table: Found in 1951, the Civil War Round Table of New York meets monthly to discuss and celebrate Civil War history. On several occasions, Foote participated as a guest lecturer, and the club honored Foote with the Fletcher Pratt Award for best non-fiction Civil War book for the second and third volumes of his narrative.
Novick, Lynn: Lynn Novick is an American documentary director and producer, most-well known for her collaborative efforts with Ken Burns.
New York Round Table: Found in 1951, the Civil War Round Table of New York meets monthly to discuss and celebrate Civil War history. On several occasions, Foote participated as a guest lecturer, and the club honored Foote with the Fletcher Pratt Award for best non-fiction Civil War book for the second and third volumes of his narrative.
Novick, Lynn: Lynn Novick is an American documentary director and producer, most-well known for her collaborative efforts with Ken Burns.
O
Oak Room: The Oak Room is a cabaret nightclub at the Algonquin Hotel in New York City.
Oak Room: The Oak Room is a cabaret nightclub at the Algonquin Hotel in New York City.
P
Persian Gulf War: In response to Saddam Hussein's invasion and annexation of Kuwait, the U.S. led coalition forces from 34 nations against Iraq from August 1990 through February 1991. At this time, Foote was a respected public figure, and several news sources approached him for commentary on the conflict.
Ploesti: Ploesti is presumably a book about the 1943 U.S. air raid on the Romanian city.
Preston, Lew & Patsy: Lewis “Lew” Preston (1926-1995) served as president of J.P. Morgan in the 1980s, and on the World Bank board from 1991 until his death in 1995. Gladys Pulitzer “Patsy” Preston (d. 2011) was a philanthropist and advocate for refugee women’s education.
Persian Gulf War: In response to Saddam Hussein's invasion and annexation of Kuwait, the U.S. led coalition forces from 34 nations against Iraq from August 1990 through February 1991. At this time, Foote was a respected public figure, and several news sources approached him for commentary on the conflict.
Ploesti: Ploesti is presumably a book about the 1943 U.S. air raid on the Romanian city.
Preston, Lew & Patsy: Lewis “Lew” Preston (1926-1995) served as president of J.P. Morgan in the 1980s, and on the World Bank board from 1991 until his death in 1995. Gladys Pulitzer “Patsy” Preston (d. 2011) was a philanthropist and advocate for refugee women’s education.
Q
R
Rainer, Steven: Steven Rainer is most likely one of Gwyn's nephews. Her two siblings, Nell Rainer Leevey and Jim Rainer, both lived in Memphis, and Jim had three children.
Random (or, Random House): Random House is one of the largest publication companies in the world. In 1954, Random House approached Foote to write a history of the Civil War, spurring him to write the trilogy. Foote published the entire trilogy and September, September through Random House.
RLR: Robert Lewis Rosen (R.L.R.) Associates, Limited is a career management firm with a branch that represents literary and commercial fiction. Foote contracted R.L.R. in 1975 and thereafter, Bob Rosen acted as his agent.
Rohatyn, Liz & Felix: Felix Rohatyn (b. 1928) is a prominent American investment banker who chaired the Municipal Assistance Corp. of New York City from 1975 to 1993. Under the Clinton administration, Felix Rohatyn served as U.S. ambassador to France. His wife, Elizabeth “Liz” Rohatyn founded the French Regional & American Museum Exchange, and currently serves on the New York Public Library Board of Trustees.
Rosen, Robert Lewis "Bob": As president of R.L.R. Associates, Bob Rosen began acting as Foote's literary agent in 1975.
Rubin, Louis: Louis D. Rubin, Jr. (1923-2013) was an American literary scholar and critic, best known for co-founding publishing house Algonquin Books and for establishing Southern literature as a distinct regional genre. Rubin wrote glowing reviews of Foote's Civil War narrative, and encouraged his fellow southern writer throughout both their careers. As a professor at UNC Chapel Hill, Rubin convinced Foote to donate his Civil War narrative manuscripts; even before the Burns series, Rubin had nominated Foote to receive an honorary degree from UNC.
Rainer, Steven: Steven Rainer is most likely one of Gwyn's nephews. Her two siblings, Nell Rainer Leevey and Jim Rainer, both lived in Memphis, and Jim had three children.
Random (or, Random House): Random House is one of the largest publication companies in the world. In 1954, Random House approached Foote to write a history of the Civil War, spurring him to write the trilogy. Foote published the entire trilogy and September, September through Random House.
RLR: Robert Lewis Rosen (R.L.R.) Associates, Limited is a career management firm with a branch that represents literary and commercial fiction. Foote contracted R.L.R. in 1975 and thereafter, Bob Rosen acted as his agent.
Rohatyn, Liz & Felix: Felix Rohatyn (b. 1928) is a prominent American investment banker who chaired the Municipal Assistance Corp. of New York City from 1975 to 1993. Under the Clinton administration, Felix Rohatyn served as U.S. ambassador to France. His wife, Elizabeth “Liz” Rohatyn founded the French Regional & American Museum Exchange, and currently serves on the New York Public Library Board of Trustees.
Rosen, Robert Lewis "Bob": As president of R.L.R. Associates, Bob Rosen began acting as Foote's literary agent in 1975.
Rubin, Louis: Louis D. Rubin, Jr. (1923-2013) was an American literary scholar and critic, best known for co-founding publishing house Algonquin Books and for establishing Southern literature as a distinct regional genre. Rubin wrote glowing reviews of Foote's Civil War narrative, and encouraged his fellow southern writer throughout both their careers. As a professor at UNC Chapel Hill, Rubin convinced Foote to donate his Civil War narrative manuscripts; even before the Burns series, Rubin had nominated Foote to receive an honorary degree from UNC.
S
Sarah: Sarah worked as the Foote family's housekeeper.
Seesel's: Seesel's Supermarkets was a Memphis grocery store chain from 1941 until 1997, and then again from 1999 until 2002, when the chain was sold to Schnucks. In 2011, Schnucks sold its stores to Kroger.
Sidney, Aline: Aline (or, alternately spelled, "Alene") Sidney most likely worked as a cook; on several occasions, Foote contracted her to prepare the Wolf River dinners that he hosted.
Shiloh: Shiloh is Foote's fourth novel, published in 1954. Alternating the chapters between the voices of fictional Confederate and Union soldiers, Foote vividly presented the bloody 1862 Battle of Shiloh and introduced themes that would later mark his Narrative and the Burns's series.
Stein, Jean: Jean Stein (b. 1934) is an American author and editor, best known for her pioneering work in oral history. Among other books, she wrote the best-selling biography Edie: An American Girl. Stein continues to write, and recently published a book about her native Los Angeles.
Sarah: Sarah worked as the Foote family's housekeeper.
Seesel's: Seesel's Supermarkets was a Memphis grocery store chain from 1941 until 1997, and then again from 1999 until 2002, when the chain was sold to Schnucks. In 2011, Schnucks sold its stores to Kroger.
Sidney, Aline: Aline (or, alternately spelled, "Alene") Sidney most likely worked as a cook; on several occasions, Foote contracted her to prepare the Wolf River dinners that he hosted.
Shiloh: Shiloh is Foote's fourth novel, published in 1954. Alternating the chapters between the voices of fictional Confederate and Union soldiers, Foote vividly presented the bloody 1862 Battle of Shiloh and introduced themes that would later mark his Narrative and the Burns's series.
Stein, Jean: Jean Stein (b. 1934) is an American author and editor, best known for her pioneering work in oral history. Among other books, she wrote the best-selling biography Edie: An American Girl. Stein continues to write, and recently published a book about her native Los Angeles.
T
To Sleep with Anger: To Sleep with Anger is a 1990 film written and directed by Charles Burnett. The American drama won four Independent Spirit Awards.
Tomasino, Christine "Chris": Chris Tomasino was one of Foote's agents at R.L.R. Associates; she developed the agency's literary division. As of 2000, Tomasino runs her own agency and specializes in promoting poplar non-fiction books.
Tree, Marietta: New England socialite and political activist Marietta Peabody Tree (1917-1991) served on the United Nations Commission on Human Rights from 1961 to 1964. Throughout her career, she also researched for Life magazine, advised Adlai Stevenson in his 1952 and 1956 bids for the presidency, and participated in the New York State Democratic Committee from 1954 to 1960.
To Sleep with Anger: To Sleep with Anger is a 1990 film written and directed by Charles Burnett. The American drama won four Independent Spirit Awards.
Tomasino, Christine "Chris": Chris Tomasino was one of Foote's agents at R.L.R. Associates; she developed the agency's literary division. As of 2000, Tomasino runs her own agency and specializes in promoting poplar non-fiction books.
Tree, Marietta: New England socialite and political activist Marietta Peabody Tree (1917-1991) served on the United Nations Commission on Human Rights from 1961 to 1964. Throughout her career, she also researched for Life magazine, advised Adlai Stevenson in his 1952 and 1956 bids for the presidency, and participated in the New York State Democratic Committee from 1954 to 1960.
U
V
Vintage: Vintage Books is an imprint in the Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. Vintage is based in New York, New York.
Virgintino, Mike: Mike Virgintino served as the President of the Civil War Round Table from 1992 to 1994.
Vintage: Vintage Books is an imprint in the Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. Vintage is based in New York, New York.
Virgintino, Mike: Mike Virgintino served as the President of the Civil War Round Table from 1992 to 1994.
W
Walther, LuAnn: LuAnn Walther is an editor who worked at Vintage Books, a division of Random House. In 2008, she became editor-in-chief of Vintage Books.
Walther, LuAnn: LuAnn Walther is an editor who worked at Vintage Books, a division of Random House. In 2008, she became editor-in-chief of Vintage Books.
X
Y
Z