Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Dead Page: Lincoln Scholar-- 'Scribe' of Resistance

Two authors died in the last two months.


DAVID HERBERT DONALD (1920-2009)

Famed Scholar of Abe Lincoln; won two Pulitzer Prizes

Also known for his Civil War and American South writings, died at age 88. Professor emeritus at Harvard University. Won Pulitzer Prizes for biographies on abolitionist Charles Sumner and novelist Thomas Wolfe.

His stature among Lincoln experts was so high that an award was named for him, the David Herbert Donald Prize for "excellence in Lincoln studies."

His first Lincoln book was in the late 1940s and he kept writing about his favorite subject for more than 50 years.

May 20th Chicago Tribune, by Hillel Italie, AP.


MAURICE DRUON (1918-2009)

Chicago Tribune April 17th, AP.

French author and fighter in France's World War II Resistance Movement against the German occupiers, age 90.

He had also served for over four decades on Academie Francaise, the body that oversees the French language and usage.

In his mid-20s, he joined the resistance movement and co-wrote "Le Chant des Partisans," also called "The Partisans' Song."

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