Authors

 

Of course. Here is a list of 20 authors who were born in, lived in, or are strongly associated with Pocahontas County, West Virginia. The list includes novelists, poets, historians, journalists, and scientists, reflecting the rich literary and intellectual heritage of the area.

1. Pearl S. Buck (1892-1973) - Born in Hillsboro, Buck was a Nobel and Pulitzer Prize-winning author. Though she spent most of her life in China, her connection to her Pocahontas County birthplace was a recurring theme in her life and work. Her most famous novel is The Good Earth.

2. Louise McNeill (1911-1993) - The Poet Laureate of West Virginia from 1979 until her death, McNeill grew up on a farm on Swago Creek. Her poetry is deeply rooted in the landscape, history, and people of Appalachia and Pocahontas County. Notable works include Gauley Mountain and Paradox Hill.

3. W. E. Blackhurst (1904-1970) - A beloved regional author from Cass, Blackhurst wrote extensively about the logging boom era in the Allegheny Mountains. His books, such as Riders of the Flood and Sawdust in Your Eyes, are considered classics of Appalachian historical fiction.

4. G. D. McNeill (1899-1983) - An author and physician, his book The Last Forest: Tales of the Allegheny Woods is a collection of stories about the wilderness and people of the Cranberry Glades and Williams River area before the logging era. He was the brother of Louise McNeill.

5. Calvin W. Price (1880-1957) - The legendary long-time editor of The Pocahontas Times, Price was a celebrated columnist, conservationist, and storyteller. His collection of writings, The Pocahontas, captures the essence of the county's culture and natural history.

6. William T. Price (1830-1903) - A lawyer, politician, and historian, he wrote the foundational Historical Sketches of Pocahontas County, West Virginia (1901), which remains an essential resource for local history and genealogy.

7. Andrew Price (1871-1930) - Son of William T. Price, he succeeded his father as a prominent historian and editor of The Pocahontas Times. He authored numerous historical articles and pamphlets about the county.

8. Roy B. Clarkson - A botanist and professor at West Virginia University, Clarkson has authored and co-authored significant books on the state's natural history, including Tumult on the Mountains: Lumbering in West Virginia 1770-1920 and definitive guides to the state's flora, much of which is centered in Pocahontas County.

9. Frank Drake (1930-2022) - A world-renowned astronomer and astrophysicist, Drake was a founder of the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI). He worked for many years at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) in Green Bank. He co-authored Is Anyone Out There? The Scientific Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence and developed the famous Drake Equation: $N=R_{\ast }\cdot f_p\cdot n_e\cdot f_l\cdot f_i\cdot f_c\cdot L$.

10. Bob Hoke - A historian deeply connected with the Cass Scenic Railroad, Hoke has written several books about the logging railroad's history, locomotives, and impact on the region, including Cass Scenic Railroad of West Virginia.

11. Kyle B. Neighbors - Another historian of West Virginia's railroads, Neighbors authored books on the logging industry, including works that detail the operations and history of the railroads in and around Cass.

12. Norman R. Price - A local historian and dentist, he co-authored The Pocahontas with Cal Price and wrote extensively on the history of the county, contributing greatly to the preservation of its stories.

13. G. L. (Gib) Ruffner - A local historian from Marlinton who has written columns and articles preserving the history and folklore of Pocahontas County, often published in regional papers and historical society journals.

14. James A. "Catfish" Miller - A contemporary columnist and storyteller for The Pocahontas Times, Miller follows in the tradition of Cal Price, writing with humor and insight about daily life, fishing, and culture in the county.

15. John J. D. Preston - An early and influential citizen of the county, Preston was instrumental in its formation and wrote historical accounts and documents related to its establishment and early governance.

16. Warren C. Blackhurst - Son of W. E. Blackhurst, he continued his father's legacy by writing about the region's history and the logging era.

17. Eleanor F. Matz - A genealogist and historian who authored books and articles on the families and history of Pocahontas County, contributing important resources for those tracing their local ancestry.

18. Phoebe S. Pollitt - A nursing historian and professor, Pollitt has written about the history of public health and nursing in Appalachia, with work that includes or is relevant to the communities of Pocahontas County.

19. Thomas C. "Tom" Shipley - A local historian and contributor to the preservation of county history through his writings and involvement with the Pocahontas County Historical Society.

20. John C. Ailes - A writer and historian who has focused on specific aspects of local history, including military history and community stories within Pocahontas County.