The first marker on the Mississippi Writers trail has been unveiled. During a ceremony on Monday at the Eudora Welty House in Jackson. Additional markers honoring well-known Mississippi writers will span the state and will include individuals such as Larry Brown, William Faulkner, Walker Percy, Natasha Trethewey, Tennessee Williams, and Richard Wright.
“The Mississippi Writers Trail not only celebrates and immortalized the state’s vast contributions to the literary world, but also draws so many to our state who are wanting to see where some of the most influential American writers were inspired to write their masterpieces,” said Craig Ray, Director of Visit Mississippi.
A grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities helped with the writers’ trail.
In addition, the Mississippi Writers Trail Advisory Committee has enlisted three literary scholars who will assist throughout in its inaugural year. These scholars include Marion Barnwell, author of Touring Literary Mississippi; Dr. Don Schaffer, associate professor of English at Mississippi State University and Dr. Kate Cochran, associate professor of English at the University of Southern Mississippi. Staff from the Mississippi Arts Commission, Mississippi Humanities Council, and the Mississippi Development Authority will continue to serve as the primary work group and will liaise with members of the Advisory Committee, scholars and other public and private sector partners.
