Frank Yerby

Frank Garvin Yerby ((1916-09-05)September 5, 1916 – November 29, 1991(1991-11-29)) was an African-American historical novelist. He is best known as the first African-American writer to have become a millionaire from his pen and to have had a book purchased by a Hollywood studio for a film adaptation.

Early life

Yerby was born in Augusta, Georgia, to Rufus Garvin Yerby and Wilhelmina Smythe, both Georgia natives. Both of his parents were listed as Mulatto in Census records before and after their marriage; Yerby stated he had a combination of Caucasian, Cherokee, and African-American ancestors, though in the 1930 and 1940 Censuses of the United States the family members were listed simply as "Negro". He had one sister, Eleanor Yerby. He graduated from Haines Normal Institute in Augusta and graduated from Paine College in 1937. Thereafter, Yerby enrolled in Fisk University, where he received his Master's degree in 1938. In 1939, Yerby entered the University of Chicago to work toward his doctorate but later left the university. Yerby taught briefly at Florida A&M University and at Southern University in Baton Rouge.