Larry Wakefield

Full preferred nameLarry Wakefield

Dates1914-05-05;2007-20-25

DescriptionBorn in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Larry Wakefield graduated from Oberlin College in 1935. He moved to Traverse City in 1940 with his wife, Lucille Wakefield, with whom he co-authored "Historic Traverse City Houses," published by McKay Press in 1978. He was a writer, reporter, and editor throughout his life. Larry was most prolific between 1977 and 2001. He was a long-time columnist for the Traverse City Record Eagle and published at least 16 books related to local history in Traverse City and Michigan history and one collection of short stories. Topics include: Ghost Towns of Michigan, postcard histories, Michigan murders, shipwrecks, and historic Traverse City houses. In his own words he goal or aim of his writing was explained: "I want to write at least two more books on various Michigan history subjects. I sold my first short story to Esquire magazine and was named "Esquire Discovery of the Month" in September 1936. Recently I've returned to short story writing, and my goal is to write a short story as good as James Joyce's "The Dead" or Tolstoy's "Death of Ivan Ilych". This may not happen-probably won't-because I consider these the two best short stories ever written, but it's my goal" (Michigan Authors and Illustrators database).

Source of description"Larry Wakefield," Library of Michigan, 2016, Michigan Authors and Illustrators database, https://libraryofmichigan.state.mi.us/authors/Author/Details/1873.