American short-story writer, novelist and dramatist.
From the description of ALS, 1926 Sept. 26, Nantucket, to Mrs. Helen Warren Harrison, Toledo. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122500032
American writer.
From the description of ALS, 1960 Nov. 6, Old Lyme, Conn., to Don E. Connors, Phoenix Union High School. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122500097
Author, Wilbur Daniel Steele was born in 1886 in Greensboro, North Carolina. He traveled widely in Africa and Europe, basing many of his stories on places he lived or visited. He was several times a winner of the O. Henry Short Story Prize.
From the description of Daniel Wilbur Steele papers, 1907-1970. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122546287
Biographical Note
Wilbur Daniel Steele was born in 1886 in Greensboro, N.C. His father became Professor in Iliff School of Theology and University of Denver in 1893 where Wilbur D. Steele had his early education and later won a two year scholarship to the University of Denver where he was active in athletics.
His love of art brought him to Boston where he attended the school of fine arts attached to the Boston Museum. He showed great promise in art, but began to write short stories.
In 1913 he married Margaret Thurston who was a talented painter. They had two sons. In 1931 Mrs. Steele died.
In 1932 he married Norma Mitchell, an actress and playwright with whom he collaborated on several plays. They make their home at Lynne, Connecticut where they still reside.
He was several times winner of the coveted O. Henry Short Story Prize. He traveled widely in Africa and Europe, basing many of his stories from various places he lived or visited.
1886
Born Mar. 17, Greensboro, N.C. (of damyankee parents).
1890
1892
Binney's Compend of Theology.
1893
1907
Grade, Prep & College (A.B.), University Park, Denver. Letters in 5 sports, captain in 2.
1907
1908
Boston Museum of Fine Arts (school attached to same)
1908
1909
Paris, various art courses - began writing there & in Italy.
1909
1920
Provincetown, Mass. Co-founder of Provincetown Players. Married Margaret Thurston, 1913 - sons, Thurston, `15, Peter, `18 - and during this period, following breaks.
1917
Travel (for Harpers Mag.) in lesser Antilles & Demarara.
1918
Correspondent, attached to Navy, for Cosmopolitan Mag., Eng., Ireland & France.
1919
1920
Bermuda
1920
1922
North Africa (for Harpers) Riviera & England.
1922
Removed from Provincetown to Nantucket - resided there until `29 -- during which following breaks (winters):
1922
1923
So. Norwalk, Conn. 23-4, France. 24-5, Westport, Conn. 25-6, Switzerland. 26-7 & 27-8, Charleston, S.C. (There's a winter missing, be dogged if I know where.)
1929
Removed from Nantucket. 29-31, Chapel Hill, N.C. Wife, Margaret, died there.
1932
Married Norma Mitchell (actress & playwright) in London -- removed to her home (then new) in country neighboring Lyme, Conn. Resided there ever since. With following breaks: winters: 32-33 & 33-4, Hollywood (very sad) 34-5 35-6 & 38-9, N.Y.C. 39-40, Hollywood (still sadder). 1944, I made extended trip around South America, flying.
Both my sons are now married, with children, boys.
Both graduated from Brown Univ.
From the guide to the Wilbur Daniel Steele papers, 1907-1970, (Department of Special Collections and University Archives)