Erskine Caldwell

Erskine Caldwell
Caldwell in 1975
Caldwell in 1975
BornErskine Preston Caldwell
December 17, 1903
Moreland, Georgia, U.S.
DiedApril 11, 1987(1987-04-11) (aged 83)
Paradise Valley, Arizona, U.S.
Resting placeScenic Hills Memorial Park, Ashland, Oregon
OccupationNovelist, short story writer
Notable worksTobacco Road
God's Little Acre
SpousesHelen Lannegan (1925–?) Margaret Bourke-White (1939–1942; divorced)
Children3

Erskine Preston Caldwell (December 17, 1903 – April 11, 1987) was an American novelist and short story writer.[1][2] His writings about poverty, racism and social problems in his native Southern United States, in novels such as Tobacco Road (1932) and God's Little Acre (1933) won him critical acclaim.

With cumulative sales of 10 million[3] and 14 million copies,[4] respectively, Tobacco Road and God's Little Acre rank as two of the best-selling American novels, all-time, with the former being adapted into a 1933 play that set a Broadway record for consecutive performances, since surpassed.

  1. ^ Obituary The New York Times, April 13, 1987.
  2. ^ Obituary Variety, April 15, 1987.
  3. ^ Arnold, Edward T. "Tobacco Road and God's Little Acre". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  4. ^ "Erskine Caldwell Biography". Id.mind.net. April 11, 1987. Archived from the original on August 18, 2009. Retrieved August 31, 2009.