Category Archives: Chicago Writing
Simon Pokagon: Problems of a Middleman
Simon Pokogan (1830-1899) was born in Berrien County, Michigan, the son of Leopold Pokogan, chief of the Potawatomies for more than 40 years. In 1832 Leopold, some believe, actually sold the land some of early Chicago was built on. Simon … Continue reading
Clarence Major: Whitman and the Roads That Lead Into Each Others’ Lives
Clarence Major (b. 1936) was born in Atlanta, but grew up on the South Side where, he says, “…the writerly disposition that was then evolving was shaped by my life in Chicago.” His wide-ranging styles—often praised for their mixtures of … Continue reading
Charles Johnson: Lessons Learned and Not Learned
Born in Evanston, Illinois, in 1948, Charles Johnson’s first books were collections of cartoons—Black Humor in 1970, and Half-Past Nation Time in 1972. He also writes screenplays. Sorcerer’s Apprentice (1986) is a collection of stories, and his highly regarded novels … Continue reading