Project Editor: Jeffrey Miller, History 470: Digital History, Spring 2008

Lowry Wimberly Dies; Retired NU Professor

...Founded 'Prairie Schooner'

Dr. Lowry C. Wimberly, 69, of 3201 R, retired University of Nebraska English professor and founder and editor of the nationally-known Prairie Schooner magazine, died Wednesday.

A recognized authority in folklore of English and Scotch popular ballads, he helped to found the Prairie Schooner magazine in 1927 and edited the publication for 26 years until he retired from the University in 1956 because of ill health.

The magazine, which achieved the status of one of the leading quarterlies in the country under Dr. Wimberly's direction, printed first published articles of such writers as Mari Sandoz, Emilie Glen, Jesse Stuart, Charles Angoff and August Derleth. Dr. Wimberly is credited with the first printings of several authors who later became leaders in the field.

Louisiana Native

Born in Plaquemine, La., Dec. 25, 1889, he attended Woodbine (Ia.) Normal School and Morningside College. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska in 1916, and his master's and doctor of philosophy degrees from the University in 1920 and 1925, respectively.

A bookkeeper for the Great Western Sugar Co, in Greeley, Colo., from 1911 to 1912, he joined the University staff in 1917 as an instructor, becoming a full professor in 1928.

The author of many essays and books, he wrote widely for such national magazines as Harper's, The American Mercury, Atlantic Monthly, Yale Review, The Forum, the American Speech Magazine, Modern Language Notes, and the Saturday Review of Literature. He was co-author of the text, "Using Better English."

His short story subjects ranged from fairy tales about cats to Midwestern lore. One of the most famous was "Famous Cats of Fairyland," which used folklore as the basis. "The Catch," which appeared in The American Mercury, was recognized on Martha Foley's "Best American Short Stories" list of distinctive fiction.

He was a member of the English Club, the American Association of University Professors, the American Folklore Society, Liberty Lodge 3, AF&AM, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Sigma Upsilon, Phi Beta Kappa, the Nebraska Writers Guild, Midland Authors, Cosmopolitan Club, and Second Presbyterian Church.

Survivors include his wife, May; two daughters, Mrs. Ruth Sarback of St. Albins, W.Va., and Mrs. Martha Penton of Duarte Calif.; sons, Steve of Birmingham, Ala., and Ben L. of Lincoln; 8 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.