James Lincoln Collier
Encyclopedia
James Lincoln Collier is a journalist, author, and professional musician.
Collier was born to Edmund Collier and Katherine Brown. He came from a family of writers and teachers, including his father and several aunts and uncles. He graduated from Hamilton College in 1950. A journalist with thirty years of experience, Collier worked with his brother, Christopher Collier
, to create works of historical fiction designed to be fun and educational for children. Christopher Collier was a history professor and gave James historical information so that he could write the stories. Their historical novel Jump Ship to Freedom (1981) has been frequently challenged and removed from libraries because of the use of the word "nigger" by characters in the book. The Bloody Country (1976) was also written by James and Christopher.
Collier's notable literary works include My Brother Sam Is Dead
(1974), a Newbery Honor book that was also named a American Library Association Notable Children's Book and nominated for a National Book Award
in 1975. He also wrote a children's book titled The Empty Mirror (2004), The Teddy Bear Habit (1967), about an insecure boy whose beatnik guitar teacher turns out to be a crook, and Rich and Famous (1975), sequel to The Teddy Bear Habit. His list of children's books also includes Chipper (2001), about a young boy in a gang. His writings for adults include numerous books on jazz
, including biographies of Louis Armstrong
, Benny Goodman
and Duke Ellington
. He has also contributed entries on jazz-related subjects to the Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians
.
In addition to his writing, Collier is an accomplished jazz musician who plays the trombone
professionally.
Collier was born to Edmund Collier and Katherine Brown. He came from a family of writers and teachers, including his father and several aunts and uncles. He graduated from Hamilton College in 1950. A journalist with thirty years of experience, Collier worked with his brother, Christopher Collier
Christopher Collier (historian)
Christopher Collier is an American historian and author.Christopher Collier, known as Kit, is the son of Edmund Collier, a writer, and Katherine Brown. He comes from a family of writers and teachers. He attended Clark University and Columbia University,...
, to create works of historical fiction designed to be fun and educational for children. Christopher Collier was a history professor and gave James historical information so that he could write the stories. Their historical novel Jump Ship to Freedom (1981) has been frequently challenged and removed from libraries because of the use of the word "nigger" by characters in the book. The Bloody Country (1976) was also written by James and Christopher.
Collier's notable literary works include My Brother Sam Is Dead
My Brother Sam Is Dead
My Brother Sam Is Dead is a young adult historical fiction novel by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier. The book realistically depicts what happened in the American Revolution...
(1974), a Newbery Honor book that was also named a American Library Association Notable Children's Book and nominated for a National Book Award
National Book Award
The National Book Awards are a set of American literary awards. Started in 1950, the Awards are presented annually to American authors for literature published in the current year. In 1989 the National Book Foundation, a nonprofit organization which now oversees and manages the National Book...
in 1975. He also wrote a children's book titled The Empty Mirror (2004), The Teddy Bear Habit (1967), about an insecure boy whose beatnik guitar teacher turns out to be a crook, and Rich and Famous (1975), sequel to The Teddy Bear Habit. His list of children's books also includes Chipper (2001), about a young boy in a gang. His writings for adults include numerous books on jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
, including biographies of Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong , nicknamed Satchmo or Pops, was an American jazz trumpeter and singer from New Orleans, Louisiana....
, Benny Goodman
Benny Goodman
Benjamin David “Benny” Goodman was an American jazz and swing musician, clarinetist and bandleader; widely known as the "King of Swing".In the mid-1930s, Benny Goodman led one of the most popular musical groups in America...
and Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
. He has also contributed entries on jazz-related subjects to the Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians
Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians
The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians is an encyclopedic dictionary of music and musicians. Along with the German-language Musik in Geschichte und Gegenwart, it is the largest single reference work on Western music. The dictionary has gone through several editions since the 19th century...
.
In addition to his writing, Collier is an accomplished jazz musician who plays the trombone
Trombone
The trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate...
professionally.