Loyal Jones (January 5, 1928 – October 7, 2023) was an American folklorist, Appalachian culture scholar, and writer.[1][2]

Biography

Loyal Jones was born in Marble, North Carolina, on January 5, 1928,[3] one of eight siblings in a farming family.[4] At the age of 12, his family moved to Brasstown, North Carolina, in proximity to the John C. Campbell Folk School established in 1925.[4] After completing high school, he served in the U.S. Navy towards the end of World War II.[4]

Jones pursued higher education upon recommendation from an individual associated with the folk school.[4] Jones earned his B.A. in English from Berea College and an M.A. from the University of North Carolina.[4] Before joining Berea College as a faculty member, he taught in the U.S. Army and at Jefferson County Public Schools.[4]

Jones began working at the Council of the Southern Mountains in 1958 and served as the organization's executive director from 1967 until 1970.[3] From 1970 to 1993, Jones directed Berea College's Appalachian Center.[4] He was considered the "father of modern Appalachian studies".[3] In 2008, the center was named the Loyal Jones Appalachian Center after him.[5] Jones was inducted into the Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame in 2022.[6]

Loyal Jones died in Black Mountain, North Carolina, on October 7, 2023, at the age of 95.[3]

Bibliography

References

  1. ^ Copley, Rich (October 24, 2010). "Rich Copley: 'The grandfather of Appalachian studies' receives honor". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  2. ^ Barker, Ricki (October 26, 2017). "Loyal Jones introduces a new generation to the pioneers of Appalachian study". Richmond Register. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d Thompson, Richard (October 10, 2023). "Loyal Jones passes". Bluegrass Today.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Loyal Jones". The Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  5. ^ "About Loyal Jones". Berea College. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  6. ^ Rogers, Steve (January 14, 2022). "Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame inductees for 2022 announced". ABC 36 News.
  7. ^ "Appalachian Entertainer And Actor Randall Franks Receives Independent Country Music Hall Of Fame Induction". Chattanoogan.com. April 30, 2013.

Further reading

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