James William Drought
Encyclopedia
James William Drought was an American
author, magazine editor, speech writer and press officer for the Office of Public Relations.
and grew up near Chicago
. Between the years 1952-1954 he served in the Army in the 82nd Airborne Division as a paratrooper stationed at Fort Bragg
, North Carolina
. In 1960, he moved to Norwalk, Connecticut
with his family, where he was a magazine editor in New York City, New York.
In 1969 one of his books was the used to create the movie The Gypsy Moths
with Burt Lancaster
, Deborah Kerr
and Gene Hackman
in starring roles. A complete collection of his works is preserved at the Mugar Memorial Library
in the Special Collections Department at Boston University
in Boston, Massachusetts.
He died on June 2, 1983.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
author, magazine editor, speech writer and press officer for the Office of Public Relations.
Biography
Drought was born in Aurora, IllinoisAurora, Illinois
Aurora is the second most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois, and the 112th largest city in the United States. A suburb of Chicago, located west of the Loop, its population in 2010 was 197,899. Originally founded within Kane County, Aurora's city limits have expanded greatly over the past...
and grew up near Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. Between the years 1952-1954 he served in the Army in the 82nd Airborne Division as a paratrooper stationed at Fort Bragg
Fort Bragg (North Carolina)
Fort Bragg is a major United States Army installation, in Cumberland and Hoke counties, North Carolina, U.S., mostly in Fayetteville but also partly in the town of Spring Lake. It was also a census-designated place in the 2010 census and had a population of 39,457. The fort is named for Confederate...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. In 1960, he moved to Norwalk, Connecticut
Norwalk, Connecticut
Norwalk is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of the city is 85,603, making Norwalk sixth in population in Connecticut, and third in Fairfield County...
with his family, where he was a magazine editor in New York City, New York.
In 1969 one of his books was the used to create the movie The Gypsy Moths
The Gypsy Moths
The Gypsy Moths is a 1969 American film starring Burt Lancaster, based on the novel of the same name by James Drought. It is the story of three barnstorming skydivers and their effect on a midwestern American town. At the time, the sport of skydiving was in its infancy, yet the movie featured an...
with Burt Lancaster
Burt Lancaster
Burton Stephen "Burt" Lancaster was an American film actor noted for his athletic physique and distinctive smile...
, Deborah Kerr
Deborah Kerr
Deborah Kerr, CBE was a Scottish film and television actress from Glasgow. She won the Sarah Siddons Award for her Chicago performance as Laura Reynolds in Tea and Sympathy, a role which she originated on Broadway, a Golden Globe Award for the motion picture The King and I, and was a three-time...
and Gene Hackman
Gene Hackman
Eugene Allen "Gene" Hackman is an American actor and novelist.Nominated for five Academy Awards, winning two, Hackman has also won three Golden Globes and two BAFTAs in a career that spanned five decades. He first came to fame in 1967 with his performance as Buck Barrow in Bonnie and Clyde...
in starring roles. A complete collection of his works is preserved at the Mugar Memorial Library
Mugar Memorial Library
The Mugar Memorial Library is the primary library for study, teaching, and research in the humanities and social sciences for Boston University and Boston University Academy. It was opened in 1966. Stephen P. Mugar, an Armenian immigrant who was successful in the grocery business, provided the...
in the Special Collections Department at Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
in Boston, Massachusetts.
He died on June 2, 1983.
Publications
- Boxed in by the Rich, A Parody (1950)
- The Wedding, A Play for Voices (1953)
- The Gypsy Moths, A Fable (1955) (free downloadable book)
- Memories of A Humble Man, An Irony (1957) (free downloadable book)
- Mover, A Modern Tragedy (1959) (free downloadable book)
- ii A Duo, A Story By Two Men (1961)
- The Secret, An Oratorio of Protest (1962) (free downloadable book)
- The Enemy, A Personal Reminiscence (1964)
- Drugoth, Biography of a Private Person (1965)
- ALIVEMOVIEBOOK, An Adaptation (1967)
- The Master, A Chronicle (1970)
- Sonny Davis Televised, A Comedy (1972)
- Blessed Bob Bunyan, An Inquiry (1974)
- The Book of Names, A Novel-Verite (1976)
- Superstar for President, A Satire (1978)
- Writer in Exile, A Mystery (1980)
- So Long Chicago, A Novel of Improvisational Comedy (1982)
- Queen of Spades, (unpublished; in manuscript) (1983)