Origins & Early Life

Kathleen Winsor (October 13, 1915 – May 26, 2003) was an American author. She is best known for her first work, the 1944 historical novel Forever Amber. The novel, racy for its time, became a runaway bestseller even as it drew criticism from some authorities for its depictions of sexuality. She wrote seven other novels, none of which matched the success of her debut.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Winsor was born on October 13, 1915, in Olivia, Minnesota, but raised in Berkeley, California. Her father was a real-estate dealer. At the age of 18, she made a list of her goals for life. Among those was her hope to write a best-selling novel. She graduated in 1938 from the University of California, Berkeley.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

During her school years, she married a fellow student, All-American college football player Robert Herwig. In 1937, she began writing a thrice-weekly sports column for the Oakland Tribune. Although that job only lasted a year, Winsor remained at the newspaper, working as a receptionist. She was fired in 1938 when the newspaper chose to trim its workforce. Winsor became interested in the Restoration period through her husband. Herwig was writing a paper for school on...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Andrew Carnegie — Contemporary (Died in 1919) (1919): Scottish-American industrialist who pioneered the American steel industry and became a major philanthropist.
• Beate Uhse-Rotermund — Contemporary (Born in 1919) (1919): Pioneering German pilot and influential founder of the modern sex shop industry.
• Berniece Baker Miracle — Contemporary (Born in 1919) (1919): American writer celebrated for her memoir on Marilyn Monroe.
• Alberto Sordi — Contemporary (Died in 2003) (2003): Pillar of Italian Cinema, master of Commedia all'italiana comedy.
• Barry White — Contemporary (Died in 2003) (2003): Iconic R&B, Soul, and Disco Singer known for his powerful bass voice.
• Benny Carter — Contemporary (Died in 2003) (2003): Jazz composer, arranger, and saxophonist known for his long and influential career.
• Al Martino — Shared historical date (10-13 · Died) (2009): Iconic Italian-American crooner, celebrated for standards and his role in The Godfather.
• Bertram Brockhouse — Shared historical date (10-13 · Died) (2003): Pioneering Canadian physicist known for neutron scattering techniques and Nobel laureate.
• Alexander Pushkin — Shared historical date (05-26 · Born) (1799): Founder of modern Russian literature and a towering figure of the Romantic era.
• Bayezid II — Shared historical date (05-26 · Died) (1512): Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, known for consolidating power and resettling Sephardi Jews.
• 1919 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1919
• October 13 (10-13) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on October 13
• 2003 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2003
• May 26 (05-26) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on May 26