Elizabeth Boatwright Coker
Elizabeth Boatwright Coker, “South Carolina’s First Lady of Letters,” was a novelist. She is the author of nine historical romances. Many of her books allowed her to exploit her deep interest in all periods of the southern and South Carolina experience. Her book Daughter of Strangers was a New York Times Best Seller, and Bantam Books paid a record price for the paperback rights for her book Blood Red Roses.
In addition to writing novels, Coker reviewed books and published satirical poems in various newspapers, magazines, and anthologies. In 1962, she won The International P.E.N. Short Story Contest of the American Branch of P.E.N. In 1991, she was inducted into the South Carolina Academy of Authors, and, in 1992, she was selected for membership in the South Carolina Hall of Fame. She died on September 1, 1993 in Hartsville, South Carolina.
In addition to writing novels, Coker reviewed books and published satirical poems in various newspapers, magazines, and anthologies. In 1962, she won The International P.E.N. Short Story Contest of the American Branch of P.E.N. In 1991, she was inducted into the South Carolina Academy of Authors, and, in 1992, she was selected for membership in the South Carolina Hall of Fame. She died on September 1, 1993 in Hartsville, South Carolina.
