Carmer, Carl, 1893-1976

Carl Carmer was an author, folklorist, and educator, known as a regional writer whose New York-based works achieved a national audience. Born in Cortland, New York, and educated at Hamilton College and Harvard University, he served as professor of English at several universities before commitiing himself to writing full-time in 1928. He worked as a columnist, and then became editor of Theatre Arts Monthly from, 1929-1933. He wrote poetry, essays, and juvenile fiction, often based in New York's Finger Lakes region; he also collected folklore from various regions, chiefly New York, and published several collections of folk tales.

From the description of Shrine [manuscript poem], circa 1930? (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 146211357

Carl Lamson Carmer, son of Willis Griswold and Mary Lamson Turner, was born in Cortland, New York, on 16 October 1893. He earned an undergraduate degree from Hamilton College, and a masters degree from Harvard.

He taught briefly at Syracuse University before accepting a position teaching English at the University of Alabama from 1921-1927. While at the University he became interested in the history and culture of the state. In 1934 he wrote Stars Fell on Alabama, an autobiographical work relating his experiences in the state. The successful work led to his popularity as a writer in the 1940s and 1950s, known for his interest in folklore. Alabama native Ruby Pickens Tartt, assisted him with this 1934 work.

Carmer wrote or edited several more books including: Listen for a Lonesome Drum (1936); The Hudson (1939); Genesee Fever (1941); The Susquehanna (1955); and The Tavern Lamps Are Burning (1964). He worked as a folklore consultant for Walt Disney Productions and produced a folklore radio series called "Your Neck o' the Woods."

Carmer died on 11 September 1976, in Bronxville, New York.

From the guide to the Carl Lamson Carmer letter MSS. 0277., 1972 August 9, (W.S. Hoole Special Collections Library, The University of Alabama)

Carl Lamson Carmer was born on October 16, 1893 in Cortland, New York to Mary Lamson Carmer and Willis Griswold Carmer. Carmer graduated from Hamilton College, his father's alma mater, in 1914 . Upon graduating from Harvard University with his Masters degree in 1915, Carmer accepted a position as an English instructor at Syracuse University. He subsequently held positions at various universities in central New York, before working at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa from 1921-1927 . Shortly after leaving the University of Alabama, Carmer began work on, Stars Fell on Alabama, based on regional folklore he collected during his career at the University. On December 24, 1928, Carmer married artist Elizabeth Black.

Carmer wrote both fiction and nonfiction. Perhaps his best known work is The Hudson, published in 1939, for which he earned critical praise. He died September 11, 1976, in Bronxville, NY.

From the guide to the Carl Carmer Correspondence, 1935-1942, (Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries)