Near Whitesburg in Letcher County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Harry Monroe Caudill
— Mountain Voices —
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 20, 2022
1. Harry Monroe Caudill Marker
Historian and social critic Harry Monroe Caudill was an eloquent and courageous spokesman for Kentucky's Appalachian region. Subtitled A Biography of a Depressed Area, Caudill's first book, Night Comes to the Cumberlands (1963), focused national attention on the region's poverty, the exploitation of its people and its natural resources, and the destruction of its incomparable natural beauty.
Harry Caudill wrote from his own experience, that of friends and relatives, and from tales passed through generations. He had a deep love and respect for his birthplace. A descendent of the first white man to settle in what is now Letcher County, he was born and raised in the county seat, Whitesburg. His father and brother were both disabled in mining accidents. After receiving a law degree from the University of Kentucky in 1948, Caudill returned to Whitesburg. In 1954 he was elected to the first of three terms in the Kentucky House of Representatives. Between 1977 and 1985 he was a professor of history at the University of Kentucky.
Harry Caudill wrote ten books, including My Land is Dying (1971), The Watches of the Night (1976) and Theirs Be the Power, and more than 125 magazine and newspaper articles, many exploring the economic, environmental and social consequences of strip mining.
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this page online
[Caption] Harry Monroe Caudill, 1922-1990
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education • Environment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1922.
Location. 37° 4.598′ N, 82° 48.669′ W. Marker is near Whitesburg, Kentucky, in Letcher County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of U.S. 119 and KY-1679, on the right when traveling south. Marker is in the scenic overlook. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4482 US-119, Cumberland KY 40823, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. John Fox, Jr. (here, next to this marker); Harriette Simpson Arnow (here, next to this marker); James Still (here, next to this marker); Scotia Mine Disaster (approx. 2.2 miles away); Letcher County Honor Roll (approx. 3 miles away); Pilot -- Spy -- Hero / Francis Gary Powers (approx. 3 miles away); Kingdom Come (approx. 3 miles away); Early Settler (approx. 3.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Whitesburg.
Also see . . .
1. Harry Caudill. Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning website entry:
Historian, novelist, essayist, and columnist Harry Monroe Caudill’s seminal work
via Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning, unknown
2. Harry Caudill
2. Harry Caudill: A Man of Courage. PBS video (56m 36s):
Harry Caudill wrote "Night Comes to the Cumberlands" in 1963, drawing national attention to poverty in Appalachia. This film explores his life and career as a writer, a state representative, and a champion for the people of Eastern Kentucky. It features a rare interview with his widow, Anne Frye Caudill. (Originally aired March 20, 2017) (Submitted on December 13, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 20, 2022
3. Harry Monroe Caudill Marker
Featured marker is on the far left.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 13, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 138 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 13, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 2. submitted on February 12, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on December 13, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
