Alfred Leland Crabb

Alfred Leland Crabb was a well-known educator and novelist, born in Warren County, Kentucky on January 22, 1884. He received his undergraduate degree from George Peabody College for Teachers, an Master of Arts from Columbia University, and a PhD from Peabody. After teaching and serving as principal in Louisiana and Kentucky, in 1916 he joined the faculty of Western Kentucky State Normal School. In 1927, he became a professor at Peabody, where he remained until he retired in 1950.

In addition to his professional work, he was keenly interested in history, especially that of Tennessee and Kentucky in the Civil War and Reconstruction era. He was the author of several historical novels; Dinner at Belmont and Supper at the Maxwell House, and biographical novels, such as Home to the Hermitage (Andrew Jackson) and Home to Kentucky (Henry Clay).

He was married to Bertha Gardner and had one son, Alfred L. Crabb, Jr. Alfred Leland Crabb died in Bowling Green, Kentucky on October 1, 1979.

William Rodney Cline

William Rodney Cline was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana on November 11, 1903. He received his undergraduate degree from Louisiana Tech, a Master of Arts from Louisiana State University, and a PhD from George Peabody College for Teachers. While at Peabody, he studied with Alfred Leland Crabb, and the two men and their wives enjoyed a lasting friendship.

From 1941-1944, Cline served as Dean of McNeese Junior College in Lake Charles, Louisiana. In 1944, he became Dean of Northeast Junior College of Louisiana State University, and 1950 he joined the faculty of Louisiana State University, where he remained until he retired in 1952. During his career, he was the author of six books, numerous pamphlets and over 50 published articles, many concerning the history of public education in Louisiana.

He was married to Mildred Elliott and had one daughter, Kathleen.