Willie Morris
Encyclopedia
William Weaks "Willie" Morris (November 29, 1934 — August 2, 1999), was an American writer and editor born in Jackson, Mississippi
, though his family later moved to Yazoo City, Mississippi
, which he immortalized in his works of prose. Morris' trademark was his lyrical prose style and reflections on the American South, particularly the Mississippi Delta
. In 1967 he became the youngest editor of Harper's Magazine
. He wrote several works of fiction and non-fiction, including his seminal book North Toward Home, as well as My Dog Skip
.
when he was just six months old. Yazoo City figures prominently in much of Morris' writing. After graduating as valedictorian of Yazoo City high school, Morris traveled to Austin
to attend the University of Texas at Austin
. He became a member of Delta Tau Delta
international fraternity, where he has a room named after him in the chapter house.
His senior year in college, Morris was elected editor of the university's student newspaper, the award-winning The Daily Texan
. His scathing editorials against segregation, censorship and state officials' collusion with oil and gas interests soon earned him the enmity of university administrators, particularly from the university's Board of Regents. As an example of the animosity, Morris wrote in North Toward Home that the university did not acknowledge his award of a Rhodes Scholarship
with even as much as a letter of congratulation. Although Morris' contribution to the university continues to go unrecognized, in 1997 The Daily Texan began honoring each year's best editorial writer with "The Willie Morris Award for Editorial Excellence."
Morris graduated in 1956 and began studying history at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. In 1958 he married Celia Buchan of Houston, and in 1959 they had a son, David Rae. The next year they returned to the United States, where he became the editor of The Texas Observer
, a liberal weekly magazine. The marriage lasted 10 years, and Celia Morris writes about Willie and their marriage in her fourth book, "Finding Celia's Place."
As the youngest-ever editor-in-chief of an influential literary magazine, Morris helped to launch the careers of notable writers such as William Styron
and Norman Mailer
. But the Cowles family, owners of Harper's Magazine, was perplexed by the content Morris published: longer articles of overtly liberal sentiment that offended more cautious advertisers. Amidst falling ad sales, the Cowles family expressed their dissatisfaction with Editor-in-Chief Willie Morris until he ultimately resigned under pressure in 1971.
, author of "From Here to Eternity", and Jones's wife Gloria. Later, when his friend lay dying in Southampton Hospital of heart failure, Willie Morris took notes from Jones about his work-in-progress, the novel "Whistle," which Morris finished for his friend Jones.
in Oxford, Mississippi
where he encouraged a new generation of Mississippi writers including John Grisham
, who acknowledged auditing Morris's writing classes. One of Morris' books, Good Old Boy: A Delta Boyhood was made into a TV movie titled The River Pirates in 1988 not far from where Morris lived. In 2000, My Dog Skip
, another of Morris' books and an unofficial prequel
to the earlier film, was made into a major motion picture
starring Frankie Muniz
, Diane Lane
, Luke Wilson
and Kevin Bacon
. (Morris had previously written for Reader's Digest
a profile of his dog 'Pete,' whom he had adopted while living in Bridgehampton, New York
. When Morris left Bridgehampton, he took Pete, who had formerly belonged to the owner of a local service station and whom Willie referred to as 'the Mayor of Bridgehampton,' back to Mississippi with him. Later, after Pete's death, Morris requested and received permission from the Episcopal church for a burial of Pete within the same cemetery where Morris himself would later be laid to rest.) Morris died of a heart attack just before the movie debuted, after seeing an advance screening of the film and praising it.
Willie Morris is buried in Glenwood Cemetery in Yazoo City, exactly 13 steps (the unlucky number) from the "grave" of the fictitious Witch of Yazoo, a character from one of Morris' books, Good Old Boy: A Delta Boyhood. In life he counted among his friends a wide circle, including Yazoo City childhood friends, well-known writers like Winston Groom
(Forrest Gump), William Styron
(Sophie's Choice), John Knowles
(A Separate Peace), James Dickey
(Deliverance) and Irwin Shaw
(Rich Man, Poor Man), as well as students in his writing classes in Oxford. He was known as an unerring mimic with a warm sense of humor and a sense of the absurd.
Morris helped two Mississippi residents by giving them a second chance at sight by being an eye donor.
Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson is the capital and the most populous city of the US state of Mississippi. It is one of two county seats of Hinds County ,. The population of the city declined from 184,256 at the 2000 census to 173,514 at the 2010 census...
, though his family later moved to Yazoo City, Mississippi
Yazoo City, Mississippi
Yazoo City is a city in Yazoo County, Mississippi, United States. It was named after the Yazoo River, which, in turn was named by the French explorer Robert La Salle. It is the county seat of Yazoo County and the principal city of the Yazoo City Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is part of the...
, which he immortalized in his works of prose. Morris' trademark was his lyrical prose style and reflections on the American South, particularly the Mississippi Delta
Mississippi Delta
The Mississippi Delta is the distinctive northwest section of the U.S. state of Mississippi that lies between the Mississippi and Yazoo Rivers. The region has been called "The Most Southern Place on Earth" because of its unique racial, cultural, and economic history...
. In 1967 he became the youngest editor of Harper's Magazine
Harper's Magazine
Harper's Magazine is a monthly magazine of literature, politics, culture, finance, and the arts, with a generally left-wing perspective. It is the second-oldest continuously published monthly magazine in the U.S. . The current editor is Ellen Rosenbush, who replaced Roger Hodge in January 2010...
. He wrote several works of fiction and non-fiction, including his seminal book North Toward Home, as well as My Dog Skip
My Dog Skip
My Dog Skip is a memoir by Willie Morris published by Random House in 1995."My Dog Skip" is the story about nine-year-old Willie Morris growing up in Yazoo City, Mississippi, a tale of a boy and his dog in a small, sleepy Southern town that teaches us about family, friendship, love, devotion and...
.
Early years
Morris' parents moved to Yazoo City, MississippiYazoo City, Mississippi
Yazoo City is a city in Yazoo County, Mississippi, United States. It was named after the Yazoo River, which, in turn was named by the French explorer Robert La Salle. It is the county seat of Yazoo County and the principal city of the Yazoo City Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is part of the...
when he was just six months old. Yazoo City figures prominently in much of Morris' writing. After graduating as valedictorian of Yazoo City high school, Morris traveled to Austin
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
to attend the University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
. He became a member of Delta Tau Delta
Delta Tau Delta
Delta Tau Delta is a U.S.-based international secret letter college fraternity. Delta Tau Delta was founded in 1858 at Bethany College, Bethany, Virginia, . It currently has around 125 student chapters nationwide, as well as more than 25 regional alumni groups. Its national community service...
international fraternity, where he has a room named after him in the chapter house.
His senior year in college, Morris was elected editor of the university's student newspaper, the award-winning The Daily Texan
The Daily Texan
The Daily Texan is the student newspaper of the University of Texas at Austin. It is entirely student-run and independent from the university. It is one of the largest college newspapers in the United States with a daily circulation of roughly 30,000 during the fall and spring semesters and bills...
. His scathing editorials against segregation, censorship and state officials' collusion with oil and gas interests soon earned him the enmity of university administrators, particularly from the university's Board of Regents. As an example of the animosity, Morris wrote in North Toward Home that the university did not acknowledge his award of a Rhodes Scholarship
Rhodes Scholarship
The Rhodes Scholarship, named after Cecil Rhodes, is an international postgraduate award for study at the University of Oxford. It was the first large-scale programme of international scholarships, and is widely considered the "world's most prestigious scholarship" by many public sources such as...
with even as much as a letter of congratulation. Although Morris' contribution to the university continues to go unrecognized, in 1997 The Daily Texan began honoring each year's best editorial writer with "The Willie Morris Award for Editorial Excellence."
Morris graduated in 1956 and began studying history at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. In 1958 he married Celia Buchan of Houston, and in 1959 they had a son, David Rae. The next year they returned to the United States, where he became the editor of The Texas Observer
The Texas Observer
The Texas Observer is an American political newsmagazine published bi-weekly and based in Downtown Austin, Texas. The non-profit magazine is nonpartisan, but the publication has historically been an advocate for liberal politics...
, a liberal weekly magazine. The marriage lasted 10 years, and Celia Morris writes about Willie and their marriage in her fourth book, "Finding Celia's Place."
Harper's Magazine
In 1963, Morris joined the staff of Harper's Magazine as Associate Editor, and became Editor-in-Chief four years later. On publication, North Toward Home became a best-selling book and earned the prestigious Houghton Mifflin Literary Fellowship Award for non-fiction. It is an autobiographical account of his childhood in Yazoo City, Mississippi, early adulthood in Austin, Texas, and eventual move from the South to New York City. Critics cited the author for his tender reflections on Southern smalltown culture, and for the tone of those alienated expatriate Southerners who move north, but retain nostalgia for the South they left behind.As the youngest-ever editor-in-chief of an influential literary magazine, Morris helped to launch the careers of notable writers such as William Styron
William Styron
William Clark Styron, Jr. was an American novelist and essayist who won major literary awards for his work.For much of his career, Styron was best known for his novels, which included...
and Norman Mailer
Norman Mailer
Norman Kingsley Mailer was an American novelist, journalist, essayist, poet, playwright, screenwriter, and film director.Along with Truman Capote, Joan Didion, Hunter S...
. But the Cowles family, owners of Harper's Magazine, was perplexed by the content Morris published: longer articles of overtly liberal sentiment that offended more cautious advertisers. Amidst falling ad sales, the Cowles family expressed their dissatisfaction with Editor-in-Chief Willie Morris until he ultimately resigned under pressure in 1971.
Morris on Long Island
Following his resignation from Harper's, Morris moved to Bridgehampton, Long Island, where he lived for many years before returning to the South. During that time he became close friends with fellow writer James JonesJames Jones (author)
James Jones was an American author known for his explorations of World War II and its aftermath.-Life and work:...
, author of "From Here to Eternity", and Jones's wife Gloria. Later, when his friend lay dying in Southampton Hospital of heart failure, Willie Morris took notes from Jones about his work-in-progress, the novel "Whistle," which Morris finished for his friend Jones.
Morris returns home
In 1980, Morris returned to his native state to be writer-in-residence at the University of MississippiUniversity of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
in Oxford, Mississippi
Oxford, Mississippi
Oxford is a city in, and the county seat of, Lafayette County, Mississippi, United States. Founded in 1835, it was named after the British university city of Oxford in hopes of having the state university located there, which it did successfully attract....
where he encouraged a new generation of Mississippi writers including John Grisham
John Grisham
John Ray Grisham, Jr. is an American lawyer and author, best known for his popular legal thrillers.John Grisham graduated from Mississippi State University before attending the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1981 and practiced criminal law for about a decade...
, who acknowledged auditing Morris's writing classes. One of Morris' books, Good Old Boy: A Delta Boyhood was made into a TV movie titled The River Pirates in 1988 not far from where Morris lived. In 2000, My Dog Skip
My Dog Skip
My Dog Skip is a memoir by Willie Morris published by Random House in 1995."My Dog Skip" is the story about nine-year-old Willie Morris growing up in Yazoo City, Mississippi, a tale of a boy and his dog in a small, sleepy Southern town that teaches us about family, friendship, love, devotion and...
, another of Morris' books and an unofficial prequel
Prequel
A prequel is a work that supplements a previously completed one, and has an earlier time setting.The widely recognized term was a 20th-century neologism, and a portmanteau from pre- and sequel...
to the earlier film, was made into a major motion picture
My Dog Skip (film)
My Dog Skip is a 2000 film, directed by Jay Russell. It is based on the autobiographical book My Dog Skip by Willie Morris. The movie was released January 14, 2000....
starring Frankie Muniz
Frankie Muniz
Francisco "Frankie" Muniz IV is an American actor, musician, writer, producer, and racecar driver. He is known primarily as the star of the FOX television family sitcom Malcolm in the Middle. In 2003, he was considered "one of Hollywood's most bankable teens". In 2008, he put his acting career...
, Diane Lane
Diane Lane
Diane Lane is an American film actress.Born and raised in New York City, Lane made her screen debut at the age of 13 in George Roy Hill's 1979 film A Little Romance, starring opposite Sir Laurence Olivier. Soon after, she was featured on the cover of Time magazine...
, Luke Wilson
Luke Wilson
Luke Cunningham Wilson is an American film actor known for his roles in Old School, Bottle Rocket, The Royal Tenenbaums, Legally Blonde, Idiocracy and Death at a Funeral.-Early life:...
and Kevin Bacon
Kevin Bacon
Kevin Norwood Bacon is an American film and theater actor whose notable roles include Animal House, Diner, Footloose, Flatliners, Wild Things, A Few Good Men, JFK, Apollo 13, Mystic River, The Woodsman, Trapped, Friday the 13th, Hollow Man, Tremors, Death Sentence, Frost/Nixon, Crazy, Stupid, Love....
. (Morris had previously written for Reader's Digest
Reader's Digest
Reader's Digest is a general interest family magazine, published ten times annually. Formerly based in Chappaqua, New York, its headquarters is now in New York City. It was founded in 1922, by DeWitt Wallace and Lila Bell Wallace...
a profile of his dog 'Pete,' whom he had adopted while living in Bridgehampton, New York
Bridgehampton, New York
Bridgehampton is a hamlet in the South Fork of Suffolk County, New York, United States. The population was 1,381 at the 2000 census....
. When Morris left Bridgehampton, he took Pete, who had formerly belonged to the owner of a local service station and whom Willie referred to as 'the Mayor of Bridgehampton,' back to Mississippi with him. Later, after Pete's death, Morris requested and received permission from the Episcopal church for a burial of Pete within the same cemetery where Morris himself would later be laid to rest.) Morris died of a heart attack just before the movie debuted, after seeing an advance screening of the film and praising it.
Willie Morris is buried in Glenwood Cemetery in Yazoo City, exactly 13 steps (the unlucky number) from the "grave" of the fictitious Witch of Yazoo, a character from one of Morris' books, Good Old Boy: A Delta Boyhood. In life he counted among his friends a wide circle, including Yazoo City childhood friends, well-known writers like Winston Groom
Winston Groom
Winston F. Groom, Jr. is an American novelist and non-fiction writer, best known for his book Forrest Gump, which was adapted into a film in 1994.- Life :...
(Forrest Gump), William Styron
William Styron
William Clark Styron, Jr. was an American novelist and essayist who won major literary awards for his work.For much of his career, Styron was best known for his novels, which included...
(Sophie's Choice), John Knowles
John Knowles
John Knowles was an American novelist best known for his novel A Separate Peace. He died in 2001 at the age of seventy-five.-Early life:...
(A Separate Peace), James Dickey
James Dickey
James Lafayette Dickey was an American poet and novelist. He was appointed the eighteenth Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress in 1966.-Early years:...
(Deliverance) and Irwin Shaw
Irwin Shaw
Irwin Shaw was a prolific American playwright, screenwriter, novelist, and short-story author whose written works have sold more than 14 million copies. He is best-known for his novel, The Young Lions about the fate of three soldiers during World War II that was made into a film starring Marlon...
(Rich Man, Poor Man), as well as students in his writing classes in Oxford. He was known as an unerring mimic with a warm sense of humor and a sense of the absurd.
Morris helped two Mississippi residents by giving them a second chance at sight by being an eye donor.
Books by Willie Morris
- My Dog SkipMy Dog SkipMy Dog Skip is a memoir by Willie Morris published by Random House in 1995."My Dog Skip" is the story about nine-year-old Willie Morris growing up in Yazoo City, Mississippi, a tale of a boy and his dog in a small, sleepy Southern town that teaches us about family, friendship, love, devotion and...
- My Cat Spit McGeehttp://www.rambles.net/morris_spit.html
- Faulkner's Mississippi
- Good Old Boy: A Delta Boyhood
- Good Old Boy and the Witch of Yazoo
- The Courting of Marcus Dupree
- New York Days
- The Last of the Southern Girls
- My Mississippi
- Terrains of the Heart and Other Essays on Home
- Ghosts of Medgar Evers
- Homecomings
- South Today
- Always Stand in Against the Curve, and Other Sports Stories
- Yazoo: Integration in a Deep-Southern Town
- North Toward Home
- After All, It's Only a Game
- Prayer for the Opening of the Little League Season
- James Jones: A Friendship
- Taps
External links and Resources
- "A Tribute to Willie Morris," in The Southerner (1999), which includes Morris's essay, "Is There a South Anymore?"
- In Search of Willie Morris: The Mercurial Life of a Legendary Writer and Editor, by Larry L. King
- Diane Rehm (NPR) Interview with Larry L. King, author of Willie Morris biography
- "Willie Morris," by Jack Bales, for The Mississippi Writers Page at the University of Mississippi
- Conversations with Willie Morris, edited by Jack Bales
- Shifting Interludes: Selected Essays, by Willie Morris, edited by Jack Bales
- Willie Morris: An Exhaustive Annotated Bibliography and a Biography, by Jack Bales
- Willie Morris Collection (MUM00321) owned by the University of Mississippi Department of Archives and Special Collections.