Spearman, Walter

Walter Smith Spearman (1908-1987) taught journalism at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1937-1978, wrote plays and short stories, wrote for numerous newspapers, and was an amatuer actor for over forty years.

Walter Smith Spearman was born in Newberry, S.C., 9 January 1908. He attended school in Silverstreet, S.C., and in Charlotte, N.C., at Central High School. Spearman was married first to Mary Elizabeth Dale Spearman (d. 1966), then to Jean Johnson Spearman. Spearman had two children, Robert W. and Mary Lindsay, and two stepchildren, David Wells Herring and Stephen Herring.

Spearman studied at the University of North Carolina, 1925 1929. During his college career, he was editor of the Daily Tar Heel, associate editor of Yackety Yack, president of the North Carolina Collegiate Press, an actor with the Carolina Playmakers, and winner of the Best College Editor in North Carolina award. After receiving his A.B. in 1929, Spearman attended the University of Lyon as a Franco-American Exchange Scholar. He then worked, 1930-1935, as a reporter, drama critic, and book editor for The Charlotte News . In 1935, he entered graduate school in dramatic arts at the University of North Carolina, where he also began teaching journalism. In 1937, he received a master of arts degree.

Spearman began writing The Literary Lantern, a book review column, in 1947, and continued writing it for the rest of his life. While teaching at the University of North Carolina, Spearman also served as an editorial writer for the New Orleans (LA) Item (summer 1955) and the Greensboro (N.C.) Observer (summer 1965). Beginning in 1948, he served as moderator of the Town Meeting on Books held annually in Greensboro, N.C. From 1958 to 1961, he directed the Chautauqua Writers' Workshop in Chautauqua, N.Y.

Spearman wrote Racial Crisis and the Press (1960), The Carolina Playmakers: The First Fifty Years (1970); plays including Death of the Swan, Transient, and Dead Man's Bluff ; and numerous articles and book reviews.

Spearman first acted with the Carolina Playmakers while an undergraduate and continued to perform with the Playmakers, as well as with such groups as the Raleigh Little Theater and the Purefoy Players, throughout his career at the University of North Carolina. He performed approximately 85 roles, including several on television. While in Charlotte, he directed the Charlotte Little Theater Workshop.

While a journalism professor at the University of North Carolina, Spearman received Tanner and Valkyrie awards for teaching. He taught until 1978, when he retired and was appointed professor emeritus. Spearman died in Chapel Hill, N.C., 24 February 1987.