Clifford Lindsey Alderman
Encyclopedia
Clifford Lindsey Alderman, born in 1902 in Springfield, Illinois
, graduated from the United States Naval Academy
at Annapolis in 1924. He did graduate work in chemical engineering
at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
, but spent only a short time in chemistry and engineering fields. He served on the staffs of naval units at Columbia University
, Holy Cross College
and Millsaps College
during World War II
, eventually commanding an officer training school at Middlebury College
in Vermont. After the war, he worked as an editor and did public relations for shipping and foreign trade industries.
An avid student of American history, Alderman wrote historical novel
s for adults, and both fiction and nonfiction for young adults. He wrote under his full name, Clifford Lindsey Alderman, as a sentimental tribute to his mother, whose maiden name was Lindsey. Alderman believed that his mother could have become a fine novelist in her own right were it not for her family responsibilities and death at a relatively young age. He also believed that his own interest in the American colonial and Revolutionary periods was a natural occurrence since he was a direct descendant of John and Priscilla Alden
and had two ancestors who fought in the American Revolution.
Alderman believed in the importance of visiting the places of which he wrote. He and his wife, Mildred, traveled extensively in their native New England
, and took repeated research trips to Canada, England, Ireland, France, and the Caribbean.
The Aldermans lived most of their married life in Seaford, New York
, close enough to Manhattan for him to do weekly research at the New York Public Library
. The beauty and warmth of Florida appealed to them by their retirement years, however, and they moved to an adult community in Pinellas Park, Florida
in the mid-1970s. Cliff Alderman died in 1988 at the age of 86.
His books include many historical novels as well as fiction and nonfiction books.
By organizing his books in a sequential manner the reader is able to establish changes through time. After reading any one of Alderman's many books it is obvious what he is trying to get across because he reiterates his thesis many times throughout the entire book. His unique writing style keeps the reader engaged throughout the book, he accomplishes this by adding interesting details. What truly make his books successful is that he does not just list facts but rather he seems to turn facts into a story.
Annie Oakley and the World of Her Time (1979)
Springfield, Illinois
Springfield is the third and current capital of the US state of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County with a population of 117,400 , making it the sixth most populated city in the state and the second most populated Illinois city outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area...
, graduated from the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
at Annapolis in 1924. He did graduate work in chemical engineering
Chemical engineering
Chemical engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with physical science , and life sciences with mathematics and economics, to the process of converting raw materials or chemicals into more useful or valuable forms...
at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
, but spent only a short time in chemistry and engineering fields. He served on the staffs of naval units at Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
, Holy Cross College
Holy Cross College
Holy Cross College may refer to:*Holy Cross College , Bangladesh*Holy Cross College , in Notre Dame, Indiana, United States*Holy Cross College , Western Province, Sri Lanka*Holy Cross College...
and Millsaps College
Millsaps College
Millsaps College is a private liberal arts college located in Jackson, Mississippi. Founded in 1890, the college is recognized as one of the country's best private colleges dedicated to undergraduate teaching and educating the whole individual. Affiliated with the United Methodist Church, Millsaps...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, eventually commanding an officer training school at Middlebury College
Middlebury College
Middlebury College is a private liberal arts college located in Middlebury, Vermont, USA. Founded in 1800, it is one of the oldest liberal arts colleges in the United States. Drawing 2,400 undergraduates from all 50 United States and over 70 countries, Middlebury offers 44 majors in the arts,...
in Vermont. After the war, he worked as an editor and did public relations for shipping and foreign trade industries.
An avid student of American history, Alderman wrote historical novel
Historical novel
According to Encyclopædia Britannica, a historical novel is-Development:An early example of historical prose fiction is Luó Guànzhōng's 14th century Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which covers one of the most important periods of Chinese history and left a lasting impact on Chinese culture.The...
s for adults, and both fiction and nonfiction for young adults. He wrote under his full name, Clifford Lindsey Alderman, as a sentimental tribute to his mother, whose maiden name was Lindsey. Alderman believed that his mother could have become a fine novelist in her own right were it not for her family responsibilities and death at a relatively young age. He also believed that his own interest in the American colonial and Revolutionary periods was a natural occurrence since he was a direct descendant of John and Priscilla Alden
Priscilla Alden
Priscilla Alden , , noted member of Massachusetts's Plymouth Colony of Pilgrims, was the wife of fellow colonist John Alden . They married in 1623 in Plymouth.-Biography:...
and had two ancestors who fought in the American Revolution.
Alderman believed in the importance of visiting the places of which he wrote. He and his wife, Mildred, traveled extensively in their native New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
, and took repeated research trips to Canada, England, Ireland, France, and the Caribbean.
The Aldermans lived most of their married life in Seaford, New York
Seaford, New York
Seaford is a census-designated place in Nassau County, New York, United States. The population was 15,294 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Seaford is located at ....
, close enough to Manhattan for him to do weekly research at the New York Public Library
New York Public Library
The New York Public Library is the largest public library in North America and is one of the United States' most significant research libraries...
. The beauty and warmth of Florida appealed to them by their retirement years, however, and they moved to an adult community in Pinellas Park, Florida
Pinellas Park, Florida
Pinellas Park is a city located in central Pinellas County, Florida. The population was 45,658 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 47,166 . The city was founded by Philadelphia publisher, F. A...
in the mid-1970s. Cliff Alderman died in 1988 at the age of 86.
His books include many historical novels as well as fiction and nonfiction books.
By organizing his books in a sequential manner the reader is able to establish changes through time. After reading any one of Alderman's many books it is obvious what he is trying to get across because he reiterates his thesis many times throughout the entire book. His unique writing style keeps the reader engaged throughout the book, he accomplishes this by adding interesting details. What truly make his books successful is that he does not just list facts but rather he seems to turn facts into a story.
Annie Oakley and the World of Her Time (1979)
Books
- The Arch of Stars (1950
- To Fame Unknown (1954)
- Joseph Brant: Chief of the Six Nations (1958)
- The Silver Keys (1960)
- Samuel Adams: Son of Liberty (1961)
- Stormy Knight: The Life of Sir William Phips (1964)
- That Men Shall Be Free: The Story of the Magna Carta (1964)
- The Vengeance of Abel Wright (1964)
- Wooden Ships and Iron Men (1964)
- Liberty, Equality, Fraternity: The Story of the French Revolution (1965)
- The Privateersmen (1965)
- The Way of the Eagles (1965)
- The Story of the Thirteen Colonies (1966)
- Retreat to Victory: The Life of Nathanael Greene (1967)
- The Devil's Shadow: The Story of Witchcraft in America (1967)
- Death to the King: The Story of the English Civil War (1968)
- Flame of Freedom: The Peasants' Revolt of 1381 (1969)
- The Great Invasion: The Norman Conquest of 1066 (1969)
- The Rhode Island Colony (1969)
- The Royal Opposition: The Story of the British Generals in the American Revolution (1970)
- Gathering Storm: The Story of the Green Mountain Boys (1970)
- Blood-Red the Roses: The Story of the Wars of the Roses (1971)
- A Cauldron of Witches: A Story of Witchcraft (1971)
- The Wearing of the Green: The Irish Rebellion, 1916-1921 (1971)
- The Golden Century: England Under the Tudors (1972)
- Rum, Slaves, and Molasses: The Story of New England's Triangular Trade (1972)
- Osceola and the Seminole Wars (1973)
- The War We Could Have Lost: The American Revolution (1974)
- Witchcraft in America (1974)
- Colonists for Sale: The Story of Indentured Servants in America (1975)
- The Dark Eagle: The Story of Benedict Arnold (1976)
- Symbols of Magic: Amulets and Talismans (1977)