- Born
- Died
- Julius Lester was born on January 27, 1939 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. He was married to Milan Sabatini, Alida Carolyn Fechner and Joan Steinau. He died on January 18, 2018 in Palmer, Massachusetts, USA.
- SpousesMilan Sabatini(1995 - January 18, 2018) (his death, 1 child)Alida Carolyn Fechner(1979 - 1991) (divorced, 2 children)Joan Steinau(1962 - 1970) (divorced, 2 children)
- During his New York years, Lester hosted "Uncle Tom's Cabin", a radio show on WBAI-FM (1968-75); co-hosted (with Jonathan Black) Free Time, a television show on WNET-NY (Channel 13), for two years; and recorded two albums of traditional and original songs for Vanguard Records: Julius Lester (1966) and Departures (1967). A compilation of songs from both albums was released on a CD, Dressed Like Freedom, on Ace Records in 2007.
- His photographs have been included in an exhibit of images from the civil rights movement at the Smithsonian Institution. He has had solo shows at the University of Massachusetts Student Union Gallery, the Forbes Library, Northampton, Mass., Valley Photo Center, Springfield, Mass., and the Robert Floyd Photography Gallery, Southampton, Mass.
- Has written 44 books: eight nonfiction, 31 children's books, one book of poetry and photographs (with David Gahr), and three adult novels. His very first book was an instructional book on how to play the 12-string guitar, co-authored with Pete Seeger. Among the awards his books have received are the Newbery Honor, Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, Coretta Scott King Award, National Book Award finalist, ALA Notable Book, National Jewish Book Award finalist, National Book Critics Circle Honor Book, and the New York Times Outstanding Book Award. His books have been translated into eight languages.
- He has published more than 200 essays and book and film reviews for such publications as The New York Times Book Review, The New York Times Op-Ed page, The Boston Globe, Village Voice, The New Republic, Moment, Forward and Dissent.
- In 1960 he received his BA from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, with a major in English and minors in Art and Spanish.
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