Background

Harris, Joel Chandler was born on December 8, 1848 in Eatonton, Georgia, United States.

Education

Harris excelled in reading and writing, but was mostly known for his pranks, mischief, and sense of humor. Practical jokes helped Harris cloak his innate shyness and insecurities about his red hair, Irish ancestry, and illegitimacy, leading to both trouble and a reputation as a leader among the older boys.

Career

In 1905 Harris was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

Works

• story

  • Uncle Remus: His Songs and His Sayings

  • Nights with Uncle Remus

  • Mingo, and Other Sketches in Black and White

  • Free Joe

  • Daddy Jake the Runaway

  • On the Plantation: A Story of a Georgia Boy's Adventures during the War

Membership

• American Academy of Arts and Letters

  1905

Interests

• Writers

  Oliver Goldsmith's 'Vicar of Wakefield '

Connections

His father, whose identity remains unknown, abandoned his family shortly after Harris was born. The parents had never married, so Harris took the name Joel from his attending physician, Dr. Joel Branham. Chandler was the name of his mother's uncle. Harris remained self-conscious of his illegitimate birth throughout his life.

Mother:

Mary Ann Harris

Wife:

Mary Esther LaRose

The couple had nine children, six of which survived past childhood