Forrest Carter
Forrest Carter was a multifaceted figure born in Alabama in the early twentieth century, known for his roles as a radio announcer, politician, and author. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II before returning to academia and eventually entering politics in Alabama during the 1950s, where he became associated with segregationist sentiments. Notably, Carter was a speechwriter for the controversial politician George Wallace and is known for coining the infamous phrase "segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever."
After an unsuccessful political campaign against Wallace in 1970, he shifted his focus to writing, adopting a pseudonym in Texas. His first major work, *The Rebel Outlaw, Josey Wales*, was adapted into a film, but his most recognized novel, *The Education of Little Tree*, initially gained acclaim as a purported autobiographical account of a Cherokee boy's life. However, posthumous revelations about Carter's background exposed him as a white supremacist and a leader in the Ku Klux Klan, raising significant ethical questions about his literary claims. He was married and had four children. Carter's life and works continue to evoke discussions about race, identity, and authenticity in literature.
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Forrest Carter
Writer
- Born: September 4, 1925
- Birthplace: Anniston, Alabama
- Died: June 7, 1979
- Place of death: Abilene, Texas
Biography
Forrest Carter, a twentieth century radio announcer, politician, and author, was born in Alabama. He was the eldest of five children. Carter attended primary schools in Calhoun County, Alabama, and graduated from Calhoun County High School. After graduating from high school, he began studying at the University of Colorado at Boulder. He left the university in order to serve in the United States Navy during World War II. In 1944, he returned to the University of Colorado at Boulder and attended naval training school.
In the 1950’s, Carter went back to Alabama, where he began a career in politics. At this time he served as a host for the radio show produced by the American State Rights Association. Carter also founded the North Alabama White Citizens Council. In the 1960’s, Carter was a speechwriter for Alabama politician George Wallace. Carter is credited with coining George Wallace’s famous line delivered in his gubernatorial inaugural address: “segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever.”
In 1970, Carter unsuccessfully ran against George Wallace in the Democratic gubernatorial primary. After losing this race, Carter left politics and moved to Texas. While in Texas, he adopted a pseudonym and began his writing career. In 1973, he published his first novel The Rebel Outlaw, Josey Wales, which was made into a 1976 screenplay The Outlaw Josey Wales.
Carter’s most noted and controversial novel, The Education of Little Tree was published in 1976. In this novel, Carter claimed to be part Cherokee and stated that his American Indian name was Little Tree. He also claimed that The Education of Little Tree was an autobiographical account of his life as an orphaned Cherokee who was placed into an all-white boarding school and forced to assimilate to white society.
At the time The Education of Little Tree was published, it was critically acclaimed and was revered as a Native American classic. However, after Carter’s death in 1979, readers discovered that the novel’s autobiographical claims were fraudulent. Carter was revealed as a white supremacist who readily expressed hatred of Jews and African Americans. He served as a leader in the Klu Klux Klan and was the editor of the white- supremacy publication The Southerner. Carter was married to India Thelma Walker. Together they had four children.