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Ann Petry
American, 1908 - 1997
BiographyAnn Petry (1908-1997) was an African American novelist, journalist, and biographer. Her 1946 best selling novel, The Street, was the first novel by an African American writer to sell over one million copies.
Ann Petry was born Ann Lane on 12 October 1908 in Old Saybrook, Connecticut. She was the daughter of Bertha James Lane and Peter Lane. Her father had opened a pharmacy there in 1902. She graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1931 with a degree in pharmacy. From 1931 to 1938, she worked in her family's drugstore, before moving to New York City to become a writer. Ann Lane married George David Petry in 1938. She began her career as a journalist, writing for the Amsterdam News (1938-41) and the Peoples' Voice of Harlem (1941-44). She then studied creative writing at Columbia University (1944-46). Works by Ann Petry include The Street (1946), Country Place (1947), The Narrows (1953), and Miss Muriel and Other Stories (1971). Petry moved back to Old Saybrook in 1948 and lived there until her death on 28 April 1997.
Ann Petry was born Ann Lane on 12 October 1908 in Old Saybrook, Connecticut. She was the daughter of Bertha James Lane and Peter Lane. Her father had opened a pharmacy there in 1902. She graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1931 with a degree in pharmacy. From 1931 to 1938, she worked in her family's drugstore, before moving to New York City to become a writer. Ann Lane married George David Petry in 1938. She began her career as a journalist, writing for the Amsterdam News (1938-41) and the Peoples' Voice of Harlem (1941-44). She then studied creative writing at Columbia University (1944-46). Works by Ann Petry include The Street (1946), Country Place (1947), The Narrows (1953), and Miss Muriel and Other Stories (1971). Petry moved back to Old Saybrook in 1948 and lived there until her death on 28 April 1997.
Person TypeIndividual
American, founded 1881
American, 1875 - 1974
American, 1908 - 2004
