Willie Morris: An Exhaustive Annotated Bibliography and a Biography

William Weaks Morris was a writer defined in large measure by his southern roots. A seventh generation Mississippian, he grew up in Yazoo City, close enough to his mother’s family to be frequently reminded of his heritage. Spending his college years at the University of Texas and Oxford University in England gave Morris a taste of the world and, perhaps, a deeper appreciation for his southern birthright. At the very least, these experiences gave him something to write home about. The product of exhaustive research, this volume is a comprehensive reference to Willie Morris’ life and works. It also provides an in-depth literary biography based on hundreds of primary sources such as letters, newspaper articles and interviews. The book’s principal focus, however, is Morris’ literary legacy, which includes works such as North Toward Home, New York Days and My Dog Skip. Two annotated bibliographies—one for Morris’ own writing and one focusing on secondary sources—comprise over 2100 entries. Each entry contains a concise, informative summary of the cited work. A chronology of Willie Morris’ life and career is supplied for easy reference. Exclusive photographs, some provided by the Morris family, and an index are also included.