Carl Carmer
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Brief Biography
Carl Carmer was born and grew up in rural upstate New York. He completed his bachelor’s degree at Hamilton College in 1914 and his master’s degree at Harvard University the following year. After teaching English at Syracuse University and the University of Rochester and serving in World War I, Carmer moved to Alabama to teach at the University of Alabama. During this time, he embarked on a scholarly exploration of Alabama, immersing himself in its folklore and people. Carmer then transitioned to a career in journalism before deciding to focus on writing. His first book of poetry was published in 1930 and was based on his experiences in Alabama. In 1934, he published a prose book, Stars Fell on Alabama, about his experiences in Alabama, and it quickly became a bestseller. He then began publishing books about New York folklore, books about American folklore, and children’s books. Carmer died in 1976.
Publications
An Outline Course in Contemporary American Poetry. Tuscaloosa, Ala.; University of Alabama, Extension Division, 1924.
French Town, a Book of Poems. New Orleans; Quarter Book Shop, 1928.
Deep South. New York; Farrar & Rinehart, 1930.
Listen For A Lonesome Drum. New York; Farrar & Rinehart, 1936.
The Hurricane's Children. New York; Farrar & Rinehart, 1937.
The Hudson. New York; Farrar & Rinehart, 1939.
Genesee Fever. New York; Farrar & Rinehart, 1941.
The Jesse James of the Java Sea. New York; Farrar & Rinehart, 1945.
Wildcat Furs to China. New York; Knopf, 1945.
For the Rights of Men. New York; Hinds, Hayden & Eldredge, 1947.
Eagle in the Wind. New York; Aladdin, 1948.
Dark Trees in the Wind. New York; Sloane, 1949.
Too Many Cherries. New York; Viking Press, 1949.
Hurricane Luck. New York; Aladdin, 1949.
Windfall Fiddle. New York; Knopf, 1950.
A Flag for the Fort. New York; Messner, 1952.
Rebellion at Quaker Hill: A Story of the First Rent War. Minneapolis, Minn.; Winston, 1954.
The Susquehanna. New York; Rinehart, 1955.
The Screaming Ghost & Other Stories. New York; Knopf, 1956.
The Years of Grace, 1808-1958. New York; Grace Church, 1958.
Pets at the White House. New York; Dutton, 1959.
Henry Hudson: Captain of Ice-bound Seas. Champaign, Ill.; Garrard Press, 1960.
Thomas Jefferson and the Mockingbird Motif. Macon, Ga.; Southern Press, 1964.
My Kind of Country; Favorite Writings About New York. New York; McKay, 1966.
The Farm Boy and the Angel. New York; Doubleday, 1970.
The Boy Drummer of Vincennes. New York; Harvey House, 1972.
The Pirate Hero of New Orleans. New York; Harvey House, 1975.
Joint Publications:
College English Composition. Richmond, Va.; Johnson Publishing Co, 1927.
Francis Marion; Swamp Fox of the Carolinas. Champaign, Ill.; Garrard, 1962.
Captain Abner and Henry Q. Champaign, Ill.; Garrard, 1965.
Mike Fink and the Big Turkey Shoot. Champaign, Ill.; Garrard, 1965.
Tony Beaver; Griddle Skater. Champaign, Ill.; Garrard, 1965.
Pecos Bill and the Long Lasso. Champaign, Ill.; Garrard, 1968.
French Town, a Book of Poems. New Orleans; Quarter Book Shop, 1928.
Deep South. New York; Farrar & Rinehart, 1930.
Listen For A Lonesome Drum. New York; Farrar & Rinehart, 1936.
The Hurricane's Children. New York; Farrar & Rinehart, 1937.
The Hudson. New York; Farrar & Rinehart, 1939.
Genesee Fever. New York; Farrar & Rinehart, 1941.
The Jesse James of the Java Sea. New York; Farrar & Rinehart, 1945.
Wildcat Furs to China. New York; Knopf, 1945.
For the Rights of Men. New York; Hinds, Hayden & Eldredge, 1947.
Eagle in the Wind. New York; Aladdin, 1948.
Dark Trees in the Wind. New York; Sloane, 1949.
Too Many Cherries. New York; Viking Press, 1949.
Hurricane Luck. New York; Aladdin, 1949.
Windfall Fiddle. New York; Knopf, 1950.
A Flag for the Fort. New York; Messner, 1952.
Rebellion at Quaker Hill: A Story of the First Rent War. Minneapolis, Minn.; Winston, 1954.
The Susquehanna. New York; Rinehart, 1955.
The Screaming Ghost & Other Stories. New York; Knopf, 1956.
The Years of Grace, 1808-1958. New York; Grace Church, 1958.
Pets at the White House. New York; Dutton, 1959.
Henry Hudson: Captain of Ice-bound Seas. Champaign, Ill.; Garrard Press, 1960.
Thomas Jefferson and the Mockingbird Motif. Macon, Ga.; Southern Press, 1964.
My Kind of Country; Favorite Writings About New York. New York; McKay, 1966.
The Farm Boy and the Angel. New York; Doubleday, 1970.
The Boy Drummer of Vincennes. New York; Harvey House, 1972.
The Pirate Hero of New Orleans. New York; Harvey House, 1975.
Joint Publications:
College English Composition. Richmond, Va.; Johnson Publishing Co, 1927.
Francis Marion; Swamp Fox of the Carolinas. Champaign, Ill.; Garrard, 1962.
Captain Abner and Henry Q. Champaign, Ill.; Garrard, 1965.
Mike Fink and the Big Turkey Shoot. Champaign, Ill.; Garrard, 1965.
Tony Beaver; Griddle Skater. Champaign, Ill.; Garrard, 1965.
Pecos Bill and the Long Lasso. Champaign, Ill.; Garrard, 1968.
Themes
Carl Carmer wrote nonfiction, children's books, poetry, and novels. He frequently wrote about folklore, his native state of New York, and his experiences living in Alabama.
Publisher
Alabama Authors of the 19th and 20th Centuries, edited by Beverley Park Rilett, http://AlabamaAuthors.org
Collection
Citation
Carmer, Carl, “Carl Carmer,” Alabama Authors of the 19th & 20th Centuries, accessed September 19, 2024, https://alabamaauthors.org/items/show/550.